3M - Advocate of welder safety protection

The importance of welder safety protection

Welding is one of the most common and important assembly processes. During the welding process, the welder may be exposed to flammable and explosive gases, various materials, electrical equipment, fire, explosion, electric shock, burning, noise, acute poisoning. Various occupational safety and health risk factors such as ultraviolet light, strong light and infrared radiation, high-altitude fall and object striking may also be used in welding operations in harsh environments such as limited space, high altitude or underwater. Since the welding mask has been in existence for more than 100 years, there are still a large number of welders suffering from welding eye damage every year. Every year, a large number of poisonous and harmful gases and soots caused by welding are poisoned, and even the welder's pneumoconiosis, occupational hazards and protection of welding operations must be attract attention. 3M is committed to the innovation of personal protection technology and products (see Figure 1). It is committed to helping customers reduce the risk of welder occupational safety and health, and to provide customers with safe, healthy, environmentally friendly and efficient personal protection solutions.

Main products and core technologies

As a leader in the field of personal protection, 3M welding protection products include welding masks, welding eye masks, dust masks, half masks, protective screens, safety glasses and safety shoes. Since 1976, Hornell (a 3M Swedish factory) invented the world's first automatic dimming welding mask, especially the research results of computer-aided design and manufacturing technology, electronic technology, materials science, behavioral science, ergonomics and psychology. Applied to the improvement of the welding mask, the innovative design of a new generation of Speedglas welding mask with lower center of gravity, lighter weight and center of gravity at the center of the neck, closer to the center of the neck, ergonomically fit, in accordance with the welder's habits, and 4 times Reddot design prize. Speedglas welding masks are a popular welding mask for welders around the world for their excellent optical performance, durability and ease of use, and high reliability.

The automatic dimming welding mask (see Figure 2) does not need to lift and lower the welding mask during arcing and extinction to obtain a clear view, allowing the welder to operate with both hands to help the welder accurately locate and observe the welding operation, greatly reducing The labor intensity of the welder. At the same time, the welder's work loss due to neck fatigue and eye damage is also greatly reduced, and the welder can actually extend the length of the welding operation, which reduces the safety risk and welder training cost to a certain extent. The test data shows that using the 3M automatic dimming welding mask, the average welding efficiency of the welder has been improved by 15% to 20%, and the welding quality has been improved to varying degrees.

The reliability and durability of 3M automatic welding masks are also obvious. A welding training institution has used 3M welding masks since 2005. These masks are still in use today; a rail vehicle company has used Adflo electric air supply in large quantities since 2008. Welding masks, the failure rate was only 0.17% by the end of 2012. In addition, when locked in the No. 3 shading number, the Speedglas welding mask can be used for non-welding operations such as grinding, and has a multi-purpose function, which is also beneficial to the enterprise to reduce the initial procurement cost and ease of management. Although the initial procurement cost is relatively high, it has hindered some companies from introducing 3M automatic dimming welding masks. However, considering the resulting increase in welding efficiency and quality, the loss of working hours due to occupational injuries is greatly reduced. As well as the durability and reliability of the 3M welding mask, the actual cost of use still has great advantages.

In order to reduce the risk of welding fumes to welders' health, it is recommended to wear at least a mask that meets the requirements of GB2626KN95 during welding operations. The 3M mask has excellent wearing adhesion and low suction resistance, which is convenient for the welder to wear for a long time. The mask with the patented cold flow exhalation valve can discharge the exhaled hot and humid air out of the mask in time to keep the face dry. Comfortable. At the same time, the mask is also a respiratory protection product that should be at least configured before welding and after welding. Adflo and FreshAirC are air supply welding masks (see Figure 3). The Adflo electric air welding mask filters the air around the station through the electric air supply system and feeds it into the welding mask for the user to breathe. The FreshAirC long tube is sent. The wind welding mask sends the breathable air through the breathing tube to the welding mask for the user to breathe. On the one hand, the air supply system provides the welder with breathable air; on the other hand, it provides a higher level of respiratory protection, maintaining a positive pressure inside the mask to prevent outside polluted air from entering the mask; large flow air can also take away hot and humid air to reduce welder fatigue. Improve the comfort of the welder for a long time and work in a hot humid environment.

With the implementation of domestic safety and occupational disease prevention and control laws and regulations, as well as the welding and cutting safety standards gradually recognized and accepted, corporate safety awareness and welder protection awareness have been further strengthened. At present, 3M personal protective products have been widely used in various fields such as automobile and rail vehicles, ship heavy industry, heavy machinery, aerospace, water conservancy and hydropower, petroleum and petrochemical and equipment manufacturing, and have been highly recognized and praised by welding technicians and operators. 3M welding protection products not only keep welders away from eye damage, away from welding fumes, but also allow welders to work comfortably and let them enjoy work and enjoy life.

3M China will continue to invest in occupational hazard protection technology research and occupational safety and health education and training to provide welders with safer and more comfortable welding protection products, provide comprehensive training and safety education on welding occupational safety and health, and promote the concept of welding protection. Further changes will promote the continuous development of the welding industry in the direction of environmental protection, health and safety.