Please be advised about the discontinuation of the 3M 9542A (carbon,P2, un-valved) and the introduction of the replacing 3M 9542V (carbon,P2, valved) respirator.

Frequently Asked Questions - Aura 9320A+ and 9322A+ Bulk Packs

How are CPS and rebate programs going to be managed?

The standard price per respirator and contract price arrangements per respirator remain unchanged regardless of the packaging.

What does this mean with our existing orders for 9320A+ and 9322A+ in the system / When will we be supplied with those orders / When current boxes run out what happens to back orders?

Stock delivered in June will have the standard box packaging. From July onwards, stock will be delivered in bulk packs.

An email from the distributor confirming willingness to receive the new codes instead of the old codes would suffice to update backorders.

Alternatively, the backorders with old codes can be cancelled, and new orders can be placed using the new codes.

Are all the back orders going to be consolidated and then shipped in new volumes?

For orders that would be supplied with 9320A+ or 9322A+ from July onwards, yes this can be done, provided the distributor confirms via email their willingness to receive the new codes

What happens to distributors who have their end users wanting less than case quantities of 9322A+ or volumes that are not a multiple of 200 units?

The intention behind bulk packing is to increase productivity and release orders faster. However, this comes at a cost of ordering by the case unfortunately.

How do distributors sell this product in less than carton QTY do they have the fitting instructions etc. on the packaging?

According to the TGA they cannot be sold loose either by 3M Au or by 3M authorised distributors.

Can distributors repackage into smaller volumes?

Yes

Can distributors sell individual masks?

As per TGA, neither 3M Australia nor 3M distributors would be able to sell individual units unless it comes with user instructions, 3M sponsor details, the required intended use, the product cat code, lot number and expiry.

Do you have any indication if this will be a permanent change considering the communication state effective July?

No changes until further notice

3M Aura 9320A+ and 9322A+ standard packs – update

Based on some customers feedback, a limited quantity of the 9322A+ (standard packs XA010017854 are on plan to be delivered in July.

Prioritization of stock

We continue to focus on Healthcare with support for critical industrial and key industries.

The majority of our stock on hand is being released to Healthcare/Frontline HC workers dealing with Covid-19 and Govt/Hospitals and the remaining to Critical Infrastructure and existing DR customers in Industrial markets

DR Quantities and ETAs cannot be committed to customers because demand from frontline customers is being prioritised.

Regards

3M Technical Bulletin

Filtering facepiece respirators (FFR), which are sometimes called disposable respirators, are subject to various regulatory standards around the world. These standards specify certain required physical properties and performance characteristics in order for respirators to claim compliance with the particular standard. During pandemic or emergency situations, health authorities often reference these standards when making respirator recommendations, stating, for example, that certain populations should use an "N95, FFP2, or equivalent" respirator.

This document is only intended to help clarify some key similarities between such references, specifically to the following FFR performance standards:

European Union Export Restrictions and 3M Product Availability Update re: 2019 Novel Coronavirus and COVID-19

Dear Valued Customer,

On March 15th, the European Union introduced export authorization requirements for exports of certain Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) outside of the European Union in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The regulation is (EU) 2020/402 and is initially effective for a six-week period but could be extended. This regulation will be enacted by each country’s customs authority which will establish a process for receiving export licenses from EU to other countries.

This new regulation will likely impact 3M’s ability to supply certain Personal Protective Equipment sourced from our manufacturing operations in the European Union to customers in non-European Union countries.

Gold Coast coronavirus case is a beautician recently returned from Iran

A 63-year-old woman has been put into isolation on the Gold Coast after testing positive to coronavirus.

On Saturday it was revealed the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Australia has increased by two to 25, including the Queensland woman.

The beautician saw up to 40 people at a Southport salon on Thursday before she started to develop symptoms and went home.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has moved Australia into pandemic mode, as the coronavirus spreads to 42 countries across the world.

“We’re effectively operating now on the basis that there is one, a pandemic,” Morrison said, declaring the government was now activating its emergency plan.

Watch the video here

Using proper cleaning and storage practices ensures that respirators remain effective and uncontaminated.

Common mistakes that limit the effectiveness of respirators.

1. Upon returning from the field on a hot and humid day, a worker haphazardly removes the personal protective clothing. The worker pulls off the respirator and hangs it on a nail in the barn, next to a pesticide container.
2. Rather than taking the time to put the respirator away, a worker tosses it on the dashboard of the truck. The truck is parked in a very sunny spot.
3. A respirator is in an enclosed cab. The cartridge is inside the sleeve of a plastic glove. The respirator has been there for two months.

Respirators should be stored away from dust, sunlight, heat, extreme cold, excessive moisture and damaging chemicals. Respirators, a piece of personal protective equipment (PPE), must be stored away from personal clothing and pesticide-contaminated areas.

People often ask how long a respirator cartridge lasts. The answer is significantly less if they are not properly cared for. I'll admit in the past I have not been kind to my respirator cartridges. I haven't treated them well. I've finished my work and shoved them in the shed with the other painting supplies, or worse left them on the work bench in an the area I just finished painting. As a result, they haven't lasted very long. It's a waste of money, it adds plastic trash to the landfill, and it's just plain irresponsible. I'm sorry.

Men's beards could render face masks useless, health authorities warn - one surprisingly comprehensive graphic reveals why 'walrus' is fine but 'mutton chops' won't do

• Sales of medical face masks are spiking around the world amid an outbreak of a new type of coronavirus, although experts say they’re not the most effective form of protection.
• A graphic from the CDC helps explains which facial hairstyle allows the masks to be more effective – and it’s very thorough.