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 April Award Winner: 3M
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Respiratory Training Ensures Knowledge Transfer APC's Innovator Awards celebrate products and services that offer the professional paint contractor effective and efficient solutions to familiar industry problems. This month's award goes to 3M's Respiratory Protection e-Training program. In July 2003, 3M, based in St. Paul, Minn., introduced its new Respiratory Protection e-Training program, an interactive program designed to provide workers with simplified, online respiratory training. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Respiratory Protection Standard, 29 CFR 1910.134, mandates that all workers who use respirators be properly prepared to do so. 3M's Respiratory Protection e-Training program was designed to help employers comply with OSHA's regulations. John Mathison, business unit manager with 3M, and Paula Penning, technical developer, are responsible for having conceived, developed and launched the program. Mathison explains that before using a respirator, a worker must do three things: Be medically evaluated, be trained to use the equipment properly and be fit tested. "The worst thing a worker can do is not use the equipment properly," said Mathison. However, this program is designed to eliminate that concern by creating an easy-to-use online testing process and by ensuring knowledge transfer. What is unique about the training is that it can be customized to each customer's business, providing training based on location, application and respirator. It allows employers to ask the questions, designing the training experience for each of their employees. They can designate which employees must be trained under which respirator profiles and can even create an employee instruction letter in English or Spanish. This process creates a consistent program that is easy for employees to follow by eliminating the variability that can take place between classroom instructors. Furthermore, employees can access the training whenever and wherever it is most convenient simply by using a password. This is great for those employees who work outside of normal business hours. "If you don't use respirators every day, the training is available whenever workers feel they need a refresher course," added Mathison. Mathison points out that the other unique feature about the program is that it was developed utilizing learning psychology techniques to help employees stay engaged and interested in the material. "It is positioned to maximize the knowledge transfer to the employees," said Mathison. "That is what creates a differentiated experience for the end-user." The Respiratory Protection e-Training is designed to be used in combination with 3M's online Respirator Medical Evaluation Program, where employees are evaluated as to their ability to wear a respirator. However, while they are developed so that they work together off of the same Web site, the programs can be purchased separately. Mathison and Penning work closely with customers in the development and deployment of the tool, helping to ensure that it meets their needs and expectations. "We have had really great success," said Mathison. "After taking this training, you know a lot about respirator safety." And that means a safer environment for employees — thanks to 3M. APC For more information about the Respiratory Protection e-Training Program, visit 3M's Web site at www.mmm.com or call (800) 383-3393.
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