A History of Innovation: How 3M science has kept Canadian workers safe on the road and beyond for more than 50 years

A History of Innovation: How 3M Science has Kept Constructions Workers in Canada Safe for More Than 50 Years
At 3M, science is more than just a discipline – it’s a driving force that places us at the forefront of safety innovation. In construction, this commitment translates into developing essential personal protective equipment (PPE) and groundbreaking technologies to keep job sites safer, more comfortable, and more efficient.
For more than 50 years, we’ve taken a 360-degree approach to safety and used science-based innovation and technology to help create a safer future for all Canadians, whether at work or in their everyday lives.
Our mission is simple: to build a stronger frontline, support Canada’s future workforce and prepare them for any challenge, now and in the future.
In the workplace: enhancing safety for an evolving workforce
Our commitment to safety is reflected in our diverse range of PPE designed to protect workers across various industries. Our safety innovations have consistently evolved to meet the needs of changing workplaces, keeping our customers top of mind as we adapt our technologies to meet the needs of shifting demographics in the workforce.
For example, more women are entering the skilled trades than ever before, presenting an opportunity to help ensure the safety needs of Canadians of all shapes and sizes can be met to ensure the safety equipment they rely on fits them well.
That’s why we’ve tailored our products to different people and tasks, creating solutions that fit everybody and every body, providing employers with resources to ensure employees stay safe no matter the job.
We also apply this approach to hearing protection. No two ear canals are the same, and hearing protection that works for one person may not fully protect another. With technology like the 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Dual-Ear Validation System, workers receive a precise numerical value of how well their hearing protection fits.
3M has also made significant advancements in welding safety, starting with the introduction of the groundbreaking auto-darkening welding helmet in 1981. Our continued innovation in this area includes the new 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet – G5-03, that allows users to quickly switch between grinding and welding modes with a simple tap on the side of the helmet. This takes away the need to flip up the helmet when grinding, helping workers do their jobs more efficiently while staying safe.

In the air we breathe: prioritizing respiratory safety
3M has been a leader in respiratory protection for more than half a century, starting with the introduction of disposable respirators to the Canadian market in the 1970s. These lightweight, easy-to-use facepieces allowed workers to focus on their tasks in challenging environments without worrying about how their protective equipment would impact their ability to do their jobs safely and effectively.
And that was just the beginning. Our journey in respiratory safety has been shaped by continuous innovation, driven by the needs and feedback from those who rely on our protection for their work, whether in industrial or healthcare settings.
The original disposable respirators we introduced in the 1970s became the precursor to what we now know as the N95–an essential tool used in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, 3M expanded its Brockville, Ontario, facility to produce disposable respirators as part of a multi-level government effort to ramp up PPE production during the height of the pandemic. This expansion created new jobs in manufacturing, maintenance, process engineering, supervision and quality assurance.
“At 3M Canada, we are committed to using science to help all Canadians by providing made-in-Canada PPE like N95 respirators to frontline workers when they’re needed,” said Michael Spylo, Director, Personal Safety.
Globally, 3M also worked to ensure that those who purchased a 3M respirator could validate its authenticity in a market that faced so many issues with counterfeit protective equipment.
Since 2021, the Brockville plant has produced more than 200 million N95 respirators, supplying essential workforces in healthcare, construction, and industrial manufacturing with key protections they need to stay safe on the job.
On the road: 3M innovations for safer driving
Road safety is another area where our innovations stand out. In addition to innovations to traffic signs and road markings that help keep drivers safe in all conditions, 3M has also developed products for temporary traffic control, designed to provide enhanced visibility and improved safety in construction work zones. From temporary signage and pavement markings to traffic control devices, 3M has developed a wide range of products designed to keep the roads safer around construction sites – and as a result keep the workers safe too.
With a lot of roadwork done at night, road signage and marking become even more important. On a dark and unlit road, nearly all visual cues disappear except those that are retroreflective, line markings and signs. Those few remaining cues become critical to safe driving, and to the safety of those working at these construction sites in the dark. We continue to work with agencies across Canada to make our roadways safer by improving both quality and durability of our road markings, ensuring that all workers can feel safe when on site.
At 3M, our commitment to safety is deeply rooted in our scientific approach and relentless innovation. From the air we breathe to the roads we travel; we are dedicated to creating a safer world for all Canadians. Our history of innovation in safety is not just a testament to our past achievements but a promise for a safer future.

About 3M
3M believes science helps create a brighter world for everyone. By unlocking the power of people, ideas and science to reimagine what’s possible, our global team uniquely addresses the opportunities and challenges of our customers, communities, and planet. Learn how we’re working to improve lives and make what’s next at https://news.3mcanada.ca/.