3M OH&ES Unveils Safety Outlook and Trends Report To Commemorate 40 Year Anniversary

October 2012

Health and Safety professionals gain insight on personal protection equipment

The OH&ES (Occupational Health and Environment Safety) business unit of 3M, a recognized leader in research and development has unveiled a safety outlook and trends report to commemorate the business units’ 40 years of global safety leadership anniversary.

Noting that every dollar spent on safety sends $4 to $6 to the bottom line, the 3M OH&ES report recommends that companies invest in risk evaluations to identify on-site hazards, and put the best processes and controls in place including appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE). The report also advises that health and safety managers holistically assess the required PPE components and select an integrated solution, meeting the international standards.

As per the findings of 3M’s Outlook and Trends report, the majority of current PPE performance standards around the world regulate the performance of each type of PPE separately. Employers can increase worker comfort and compliance by providing respirators, hard hats and other equipment that work well together and fit each unique face and head shape, while enhancing the performance.

The report also reveals that cutting edge advancements in PPE manufacturing and fit-test systems for hearing and respiratory protection that allow health and safety managers to confirm that the PPE is suitable for each individual. A forward thinking focus on sustainability, the use of end-of-service indicators, and on-site vending machine, PPE distribution comprise other progressive industry, safety and cost-saving trends highlighted in the report.

Commenting on the unveiling of the Safety Outlook and Trends Report, Chaouki Bahsoun, Country Business Leader, SS&PS Safety Security & Protection Services, 3M Gulf said, “3M OH&ES has been at the forefront of introducing innovative PPE solutions for diverse needs of the industry across the Middle East region. The newly introduced trends report is a unique combination of our insights into the OH&ES segment along with an outline of the future trends that we anticipate being adopted by the industry”.

Bahsoun further added, “We are confident that the findings of the 3M OH&ES report will immensely benefit health and safety professionals towards selecting appropriate equipment that will safeguard their employees against potential hearing and visual hazards”.

The Safety Outlook and Trends Report was compiled based on a 3M global survey of safety and health professionals, 3M scientific research, and data from industry organizations including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, World Health Organization, Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Home Improvement Research Institute, Home Safety Council and Health & Safety Middle East.

This is a milestone year for 3M as its OH&ES business celebrates 40 years of safety leadership. The anniversary pays tribute to 3M’s development in 1972 of the first disposable ear plug and NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece respirator – the first of future innovations in PPE.