In certain jobs, it is mandatory to wear protective equipment. In every case, it is the competence and responsibility of the employer to determine the type and category of protective equipment that is required for the concerned job within the concerned organization. But what are the aspects to consider when categorizing protective equipment? We will provide an answer to this in our following blog entry.
 
Personal protective equipment comprises clothing accessories, devices, gear, equipment, and tool that are used or worn by a person as a protection against one or more risks threatening their health and/or safety.
 
The level of protection
 
The most important property of the personal protective equipment is its level of protection, which depends on three factors. In order to determine the level of protection, we need to know the protective capabilities, the protection class of the tool, as well as the degree of protection ensured by the protective equipment.

The phrase “protective capability” indicates the potential danger or harmful agents from which the concerned gear or tool protects the person. This can be quite diverse and different depending on the areas of use. It can protect from falling, from excessive heat or from cold, from noise pollution, from permanent vibration or from the injury of the concerned body part (for example cutting).

The protection class means the level of protection the personal protective equipment can provide against determined risks.
 
The degree of protection defines the extent of protection the concerned protective equipment can provide against a specified hazard or harmful agent.
 
Of course, the so-called complex protective equipment is also common, which provides protection against multiple potential hazards at the same time, although mostly to varying degrees.
 
Categories of the level of protection
 
Regarding the level of protection, we have three different categories.
 
Category No. 1
 
The first category comprises protective equipment providing protection against the following:

• mechanical hazards causing surface injuries
• handling of objects with a surface temperature not exceeding 50°C
• handling of objects not associated with dangerous impact (it requires wearing gloves and apron)
• not extreme or exceptional weather conditions (waterproof raincoat)
• light impacts and vibrations that do not cause permanent injuries
• sunshine (sunglasses).

Category No. 2
This category contains all the protective equipment that do not belong either to the first or to the third category.

Category No. 3
Here you can find complex protective equipment that protect from fatal accidents and from effects causing severe, irreversible health damage:

• respiratory protective equipment
• protection against chemical effects, ionizing radiation
• protection against a heat effect of or above 100°C
• protective equipment against a temperature below – 50°C
• equipment to prevent falling
• risk of electric shock

The light of our eyes
 
With the adjustable super bright LED, and with the Led Light Vision protective eyewear with long-lasting batteries of more than 50 hours, you can definitely illuminate what you are looking at. And even your hands will remain free.
 
Music to our ears?
 
Noisy environments are proved to be harmful to health. In addition to protection against noise pollution, the prevention of possible infections and the protection against electric shock, which is more and more important today, are just as important. The 3M One-Touch Pro earplug dispenser allows for the hygienic and contactless storage and easy availability of earplugs stored in it. And if it is out, you can economically reorder our 3M 1120 earplugs.

There are cases when earplugs are not enough. There is a solution. The 3M PELTOR Bull's Eye ear muffs provide maximum protection even in extremely noisy environments. They are not only lightweight but ergonomic as well, so it is comfortable to continuously wear them. This type of product is extremely ideal also for sport shooters. Due to their oblique design, they do not come into contact with the butt of the gun, therefore they do not prevent optimal posture. They are available in red, black, and green colors.
 
Tailored protection
 
The 3M™ 4510 protective overall provides an economical protection against infectious substances, certain types of hazardous dusts, and some types of splashing liquids. It is made from a breathable material. Due to its adequate level of breathing, heat and vapor freely evaporate from your skin and leaves the clothes. It is a lightweight, comfortable but still a safe protective equipment for everyday use.

During heat waves, there is no household without some kind of a protection against heat. We typically try to prevent the sudden rise in temperature caused by incoming sunshine with air conditioning machines or with fans. However, these incur significant monthly costs. In addition to this, many people are even sensitive to these methods of summer cooling. Transparent heat reflective films with excellent heat reflective properties can be a great alternative not only in the protection against intense heat but also against temperature changes caused by a cold winter.
 
Dramatic power consumption
This year, there was a new national gross peak in system load during summer again, which might be topped again and again in the coming months. On June 23, 2021, a power consumption of 6,814 MW was measured during the evening hours at a daily average temperature of 28.7°C.

According to the data of the Budapest center of MAVIR, the Hungarian Transmission System Operator Company, the summer power consumption rate these days approximates the data of the absolute national peak in winter, and the reason for this – among others – is the operation of air conditioning machines.
 
Transparent heat reflective film: a natural shading
Heat reflective films, that we mentioned here before in details, mean an efficient method of protection against intense heat and harmful infrared radiation, while they do not darken the apartment. In this blog entry, we will primarily cover the advantages of transparent heat reflective films.

By being a natural shade, the installation of the film means a one-off cost only and it does not cause an increase in our power consumption later, while it not only protects our home from excessive heat, but it also protects the equipment from the harmful and fading effect of the Sun’s rays. The greatness of these films lies in their ability to absorb 80% of rays of light before they enter the apartment.

Due to a dust-free installation and durability, we recommend an indoor use for transparent heat reflective films both in homes and offices, which briefly means that it is advisable to stick the self-adhesive films onto the inner surface of the windows.

How does it work?
The heat reflective film blocks 45-86% of the heat of sunlight before it enters the apartment. It has different production processes depending on type. We differentiate colored and aluminum metallized films, and there are fully metallized products that mean less reflective nickel-chrome films. The range is completed by ceramic heat reflective window films based on a titanium-nitrate basic material. The latter have a high level of heat protection; their level of infrared filtering is between 80-60%. So, these so-called infrared-absorbing films, that can absorb infrared radiation due to special particles, are definitely at the top of the product pyramid. This is important because infrared radiation causes a significantly more intensive sensation of heat. Any film can filter the visible light spectrum, they even provide energy protection, however they have negligible filtration level of around 12% in the infrared spectrum. Several types of heat reflective window film are available in our product range that are of premium quality and are prepared with metal-free nanotechnology.
 
Warmly recommended
The 3M™ Prestige Heat Reflective Window Film that we distribute also belongs to this category, which means that it is prepared with metal-free nanotechnology, which is today’s most up-to-date technology. These high-end films are not reflective even though they are transparent, and they retain heat without us noticing their blessed presence. They mean an ideal solution not only for homes but also for offices and warehouses.

While air conditioning works only when we use our car, sunshine constantly generates heat and it transforms the passenger compartment into a hot bowl. Unfortunately, due to its metallic structure and small space, our car can become even hotter than our apartment, but there is a good solution also for that with the help of 3M FX5 Heat Reflective Car Window Film. The product category of 3M™ FX-ST is comprised of colored heat reflective films. Their common feature is that they filter UVA and UVB rays – that are responsible for skin damage and color fading – almost in the whole spectrum. FX metal-free polyester optical films can reflect even half of the solar energy flowing into the car through the windows, thus ensuring a comfortable and cool effect. These products have a scratch-resistant protective layer and are available in several shades.
 
Sustainable development, efficient heat protection
Heat reflective films can be used as a sole method or combined with other air conditioning equipment, and they mean an environmental-friendly and energy-saving  solution. They do not darken the space when used, but they ensure a comfortable and sensibly lower internal temperature. As they produce their cooling effect not by circulating air or by flowing a cooler air, they do not irritate our body and we can avoid inflammation and cold by using them. They can be installed simply and relatively quickly, and there is no need for drilling, wires, huge restructuring in order to establish the correct design for the system. Due to their nature, the internal layout and other parameters of our home do not have an effect on their applicability.

The removal of labels or stickers often leaves an ugly spot on the materials and it affects appearance. Have you ever seen an adhesive residue discolored by dust? Unfortunately, we also have. Luckily, we have the remedy.
 
Would you like to recycle glass jars or to remove the highway sticker from the windshield? Did your child decorate their room in a way you did not like and now they do not either? Or perhaps you bought new glasses or dishes but there is still adhesive residue on the bottom? Unfortunately, these prove to be very sticky even after several rounds of dishwashing. We will show you the home science you can use against these. As a preliminary point, we can tell you that we will show you solutions even if you are not in the mood or you do not have the time to tinker with a little bit lengthy home science.

Removal of adhesive from glass
In case of stickers on glass, some alcohol can even help. You can easily use this also for the windshield. Soak a cotton ball in alcohol and rub the concerned surface with it. In case of plastic surfaces, we recommend you choose another method because it can become dull after removing the adhesive.

Acetone or paint thinner on furniture panels
In case of contamination of furniture panels, nail polish remover or paint thinner can also be good. Even their application is the same: spill some on a cotton ball and then rub the contaminated furniture panel with it. Apply it, let it take effect, and then carefully scrape it off. Be careful. Before you apply it, it is worth trying it on a less visible spot because paint thinner can make some types of material matte, while nail polish remover can even remove the top layer.

Iron on fabrics
In case of a rug that stuck together, you can use the iron. Hold the iron above it and warm up and soften the adhesive residue with hot steam. You can try this method even on parquet. Its huge advantage is that you can deal with spots without scratches.

Turn it against itself
It might seem bizarre, but you can neutralize certain types of adhesives with adhesive. Put some adhesive tapes onto the contamination and then carefully pull it. If the old adhesive stuck to the new one, you have won.

You can look around also in the kitchen
Removal with alcohol should be avoided not only in case of plastics but generally in case of every chemically treated surface. In such cases, you can try household cooking oil. Apply it, let it take effect for at least 20 minutes, and then you can wipe the oil with a cloth or a sponge – together with the adhesive if you are lucky. If it did not come off, you can try vinegar as well. For maximum effect, many puts sodium bicarbonate into the oil. Perhaps you can try it if the oil was not enough in itself. You can soak glass jars in water with dish soap. It works in case of certain types of adhesive, while certain products are more persistent.

… or in the bathroom
If you are looking for a chemical-free solution, you can even use a hair dryer to remove adhesives. It warms up and somewhat melts the adhesive; it works on a similar principle as the previously mentioned method of the iron. In its diffused and warm state, the adhesive is easier to remove. Probably the result will not be immaculate, and you have to also use a cloth with detergent on the surface, so the method is not chemical-free, while the process is a little bit time consuming.

… or you can go for sure
If you would like to quickly put an end to that, the 3M™ Adhesive Removal will be the perfect solution. Do not be fooled by its name, you can remove not only adhesives with it, but also the undesirable residue of wax, grease, oil or even tar. Due to its versatility, it certainly will not lie unused in your home.
It can be used quickly and simply. Following its application, it dissolves persistent spots within a few minutes. After that, wipe the contaminated surface with a moist and then with a dry cloth. It will be almost better than new. With the help of our 3M™ Film Removal System, you can completely remove films for graphic purposes, without damaging the surface.

Although we consider it to be a typical metropolitan phenomenon, there is almost no municipality without one or two sprayed messages, doodle, or, in a better case, a truly artistic mural. Graffities are subject to controversial perception and they certainly leave no one indifferent. Some are shaken by their existence, while others by their removal. But if they need to disappear, it does matter what mark they leave.

Polluting graffiti?
The first graffities appeared in the 1970s. With a varying intensity, it continuously walks its way on subway trains, railway vehicles, escalators, on the walls of towers and buildings or on outdoor sculptures – provoking strong (either positive or negative) feelings almost from every passerby. Suffice it to mention Banksy, the British graffiti artist who has become notorious for their absolutely creative and witty artistic works and concerning whose identity no further details have surfaced during their “work” of 30 years. To this day, a particular myth surrounds the identity and activity of the artist and political activist. Anyway, their works speak for themselves, and due to their unusual and thought-provoking artistic works, they have become a prominent figure of global street art.
 
We could have a long discussion on whether graffiti, as a genre, has a destructive or value-creating effect, and whether – regardless of all this – it is worth removing graffities that are constantly created. But, since a portion of these artistic works contains obscene observations or statements that are offensive to certain social groups, it is beyond debate that there are cases when you have to simply remove them.
 
Environmental-friendly graffiti removal!
And if you need to do something, it does matter how you do it. Although sanding technology is eco-friendly, it is not gentle to the treated surface of wall. During chemical removal, mostly mixtures containing NEP (N-ethyl-pyrrolidone) or NMP (N-methyl-pyrrolidone) are used that are expressly harmful to health.
 
On the contrary, the special, gel-form 3M ™ 1500 Graffiti remover will not go easy on graffities, but it is absolutely gentle and careful to the environment and to those conducting the cleaning process. Due to its liquid state, it enters the paint more quickly, but it evaporates slower than usual into the air. This increases the product’s efficiency and also reduces total costs. Another advantage is that it is almost odorless, and no harmful fumes are generated during use. The 3M ™ 1500 Graffiti remover distributed by our company is especially environmental-friendly because it does not contain aromatic, aliphatic, or chlorinated solvents.
 
Due to the practical dispenser design, it can be quickly and easily applied onto any surfaces. By cleaning the surfacewith a high-pressure cleaner after a short time to take effect, basically any type of paint can be completely removed.