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Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Hazards and PPE Solutions
3M PPE solutions for primary pharmaceutical manufacturing applications, including API handling, cleaning and disinfecting, and confined spaces. Our products are designed to help protect workers from a variety of hazards such as chemical exposure, respiratory risks and noise.
3M understands the unique challenges of protecting workers and ensuring your product quality during complex manufacturing processes. We work closely with customers and regulatory and standards groups around the world to develop innovative safety solutions tailored to your specific needs.
Personal protection developed with science.
PPE information for primary pharmaceutical manufacturing application hazards
3M offers specialized PPE products, industry knowledge, and technical expertise to support applications for the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.
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Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Handling
Highly Potent APIs have low dose response, requiring strict exposure control and worker protection with PPE. Below are three 3M resources designed to help you select PPE.
- Quick guide download (PDF, 477 KB) | 3M PPE for API Handling Hazards
- Best practices download (PDF, 687 KB) | Risk assessment and control, including PPE selection based on common workplace scenarios
- Tech bulletin download (PDF, 78 KB) | Considerations for the Role of Assigned Protection Factors (APFs) in Respiratory Protection
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Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Cleaning and DisinfectingCleaning/disinfecting chemicals in pharmaceutical manufacturing may pose hazards, requiring exposure controls, like PPE, for worker safety. Here are three 3M resources to help you choose your PPE.
- Quick guide download (PDF, 845 KB) | 3M PPE for Cleaning and Disinfecting Hazards
- Tech bulletin download (PDF, 251 KB) | Evaluating Disinfectant Health Hazards and Risks
- Tech bulletin download (PDF, 125 KB) | PPE Tips for Peracetic Acid Use in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
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Confined Space Entry
Confined space systems aid in entry to reactors and vessels. Below are three resources to help you select a 3M confined space system for your site.
- Infographic download | Hazards of confined spaces and four steps to take to help improve safety
- Checklist download (PDF, 158 KB) | Use this checklist to support confined space entry evaluation
- Tech bulletin download (PDF, 1.21 MB) | US OSHA Regulatory Update
Select and shop 3M PPE for pharmaceutical manufacturing
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Reusable respiratorsSuitable when you need respirators that can be cleaned or need cartridge/filter flexibility for different contaminants. 3M reusable respirators provide protection up to APF of 50.
- 3M SLS App | Select or estimate service life of cartridges and filters based on contaminants and exposure levels
- Shop all half mask reusable respirator products
- Shop all full facepiece reusable respirator products
- Learn about the importance of fit and fit testing
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Disposable respiratorsWhen you need a lightweight respirator and want piece of mind that a respirator is clean and sanitary. 3M disposable respirators are suitable for nuisance odors or where hazard level is below Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) but you want extra protection.
- Find my respirator | interactive product selection tool to help you find a disposable respirator
- Shop all disposable respirator products
- Learn about the importance of fit and fit testing
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Eye protectionEye protection may be needed when your task has airborne particulates, like dust or powders, or chemical splash hazards. Select models include 3M™ Scotchgard™ Protector Anti-Fog Coating for added protection against fogging and scratching. Learn more about anti-fog coating.
- Explore features of 3M safety glasses to select what's right for you
- Shop all safety goggles
- Shop all safety glasses
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Protective coverallsFor pharmaceutical sites with highly sensitive production areas, select 3M™ Protective Coverall models have been tested to the Helmke Drum Test method to assess linting propensity.
- Technical Data Bulletin #204 | 3M Protective Coverall Linting (PDF, 391 KB)
- Download (PDF, 610 KB) | Choosing the right protective coveralls
- Shop 3M Protective Coverall 4510
- Shop 3M Protective Coverall 4520
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Hearing protectionFor tasks where you need to maintain hearing protection but need to communicate with your team.
- Considerations for selecting your hearing protection
- Shop all hearing protection products
- Shop all protective communications products
- Fit validation | Explore our validation products and the benefits of using in your hearing conservation program
- Download (PDF, 11.8 MB) | Hearing Protection Fit Testing eBook
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Confined space entryWhen working around, cleaning or disinfecting confined spaces, such as, mixing vessels, piping systems, reactors, storage bins or silos, confined space PPE and entry systems may be needed.
- Fall Protection Configurator App | Visualize custom confined space systems for your site
- Download the Confined Space Catalog (PDF, 13.9 MB)
- Shop all confined space products
Online educational courses | Safety basics in pharmaceutical manufacturing
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Introduction to hazards and PPE selection
In part one of this two part webinar, Kathy Thompson, Certified Industrial Hygienist with 3M Personal Safety Divison, will introduce safety and health basic understanding of hazards and PPE. This 15 minute presentation will review:
- overview of chemical hazard determination & identifying hazardous chemicals
- deeper dive into safety data sheets
- connect hazard information to PPE
- introduction to key regulations for PPE selection
OELs, OEBs and exposure assessment process
In part two of this two part webinar, Kathy Thompson, Certified Industrial Hygienist with 3M Personal Safety Divison, will review fundamentals of conducting exposure assessments. This 15 minute presentation will review:
- overview of occupation exposure limits (OELs)
- review elements of occupational exposure banding (OEB), also known as control banding
- process considerations for exposure assessment
- apply learnings in pharmaceutical chemical example
