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Metalworking Health and Safety
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Are you taking the right safety measures for hazardous gases and chemicals?DOWNLOAD INFOGRAPHICS
Explore our infographic series and empower your team to stay safe
Worker Health and Safety Solutions for the Metal Industry
For over 100 years, 3M has designed solutions to aid the metalworking industry, from abrasive material to our recent innovations in welding safety, we are committed to working with you to drive your business forward.
From steel mills to aluminium smelters, from lead recycling to met-fab shops, 3M is here to support you in your efforts to promote worker health and safety in the metal industries. Metal industries are faced with a wide range of hazards, and identifying those hazards and the right solutions to address these hazards is not always easy. 3M can help support you through this process and help you make correct decisions based on your needs.
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Metal FabricationWe aim to increase awareness and bring forward educational elements surrounding safety and health concerns with exposures to hazards such as arc radiation, loud noises and common weld fumes like Manganese and Hexavalent Chromium. Our goal is to provide relevant technical information, industry best practices, and potential product safety solutions.
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Metal Production3M designs and manufactures PPE that aims to help protect you in a changing world. From smelting to casting, coke ovens to blast furnaces our technology, experience and energy drive innovative solutions to help you manage your work environment so you can focus on the job at hand. We provide safety solutions that can help improve the comfort of personal protective equipment for everything from your eyes to ears and respiratory system.
Top Metal Fabrication & Production Applications
Metal fabrication is the building of metal structures by cutting, bending, and assembling processes, most commonly welding. It is a value-added process that 3M understands well. From abrasive discs and belts to industry leading welding PPE - we are here to help.
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Grinding, Cutting & FinishingYou sometimes only get one chance to grind down, and finish your metal parts the way you want them, getting it just right. It sets the bar for the rest of your work. 3M designs innovative safety products whether you're cutting, grinding, or finishing your work. Our aim is that our personal protective equipment help ensure your project is a cut above the rest.
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FoundriesWorking with metals exposes your workers to hazards in many different forms like hot work and heat stress. Furnace work and foundries are particularly high risk. Melting and pouring processes have a high risk of molten metal splash injury. Metal splash can lead to severe contact burns, eye injuries or lead to ignition of inappropriate protective equipment. 3M Safety can help you understand the variations of Metalworking PPE available and what makes sense for the hazards you face.
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Metalworking Hazards and SolutionsWe aim to increase awareness surrounding concerns with exposures to hazards such as Manganese, Hexavalent Chromium, and Silica. Our goal is to provide up-to-date and relevant technical information, industry best practices, and potential safety solutions.
Explore Metalworking Hazard Infographics
Find out how are your workers exposed to these hazards, their health effects and how to protect against it.
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OzoneUnderstand the risks of ozone exposure, which can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and lung damage, especially in industrial processes like welding and air purification. Learn how to protect yourself by ensuring use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and regularly monitoring ozone levels. Stay informed with our detailed guide on handling ozone safely.
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Powder CoatingLearn about the health risks of powder coatings, including eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, as well as potential asthma and dermatitis from exposure during manufacturing, spraying, and cleaning. Protect yourself by using proper respiratory protective equipment (RPE). Stay safe with our detailed guide on handling powder coatings.
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Liquid Industrial PaintsLearn about the hazards of liquid industrial paints, including exposure to harmful VOCs like Xylene, Toluene, and Ethyl acetate, through activities such as brushing, rolling, and spraying. Understand the health risks such as skin irritation, respiratory issues, and sensitization to isocyanates. Discover essential protective measures with appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
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ManganeseUnderstand the risks of manganese exposure, which can cause nose, throat, and respiratory irritation, as well as chronic issues like central nervous system damage and pneumonitis, especially in metal production and welding. Protect yourself by wearing the right respiratory protective equipment (RPE). Stay safe with our detailed guide on handling manganese.
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LeadLearn about the dangers of lead exposure, which can cause acute effects like abdominal cramps and muscle pain, as well as chronic issues such as neurological damage and kidney disease, especially in metal production and recycling. Protect yourself by wearing the right respiratory protective equipment (RPE). Stay safe with our detailed guide on handling lead.
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ChromiumChromium exposure can lead to acute effects like skin irritation and eye damage, as well as chronic issues such as respiratory problems and kidney damage, especially in metal production and plating. Protect yourself by using proper engineering controls and respiratory protective equipment (RPE). Stay safe with our detailed guide on handling chromium.
Beyond the Sparks and flame
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Welding Fumes
As a welder, you usually know what to do to keep yourself safe from heat and sparks. But what about the potential risks in inhaling welding fumes? Do you know all the weld fume hazards? We'll give you some insights into a few you're likely up against.
We are working to help keep you informed on potential risks, and by improving respiratory protection products that can help to keep you out of harm’s way. For welders, two examples that can pose a serious threat are Manganese and Chromium. Here’s an overview on how to help reduce risk, plus some sample products.Learn more about Manganese (PDF, 236 KB)
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Eye InjuriesFlying particles from processes such as cutting, grinding, or scarfing are potential causes of eye and face injury. Appropriate guarding or the use of eye and face protection are needed to help minimise exposure for your workers.
In addition, welding, cutting, melting and pouring operations may generate high levels of ultraviolet, infra-red and visible light, requiring appropriate eye and face PPE to minimise exposure for the welders.
Learn more about the Patented 3M Eyewear Fit System (PDF, 1.1 MB) -
Exposure to NoiseCertain metal operations and machinery create high noise levels. But do they have to? Equipment and processes can be designed or altered to be quieter.
When that's not feasible, 3M provides best in class hearing protectors. Earplugs, muffs, and even protective communication systems can play an important role in conserving worker hearing. They must be comfortable, fit properly and provide adequate protection for the environment. Compatibility with other PPE and the workers’ ability to communicate must also be considered. -
Silica Exposure from Sand CastingFoundries can have a high number of workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica. Elevated worker exposures to silica for certain types of workers in the iron and steel industry have been documented in industrial hygiene studies in the past.
Suggested Products
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3M™ SecureFit™ Protective Eyewear 500 Series with Scotchgard™ Anti-fogOur latest innovation in protective eyewear - SecureFit 500. Featuring 3M Pressure Diffusion Temple (PDT) Technology and 3M Scotchgard Anti-fog Coating. Providing a snug fit, and reduced fogging in hot environments.
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3M™ Rugged Comfort™ Half Face Respirator 6500QLThe 3M™ Rugged Comfort Quick Latch Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator 6500QL helps provide respiratory protection in harsh, dirty environments against airborne contaminants when used with approved 3M cartridges and filters. This facepiece combines comfort, durability, and stability with a firm, lightly textured silicone faceseal and strong body construction.
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3M™ Push-To-Fit EarplugsPrevent hand-to-ear contamination and encourage hearing protection with 3M™ Push-to-Fit Earplugs. The comfort of slow-recovery foam with the convenience of a push-in earplug
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The Australian made TA570 is a vented ABS Type 1 safety helmet ideal for general industrial, construction and mining applications. The unique crown cooling vented safety helmets ensure cooler and more comfortable protection in hot humid conditions. The safety helmet design allows multiple branding and reflective tape options.
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Now you can increase the utility of your 3M™ Versaflo™ M-307 or M-407 Respiratory Helmet – by adding integrated protection for head, neck and shoulders against radiant heat, sparks and splashes.
