3M announces the expansion of its portfolio of personal protective safety equipment with the launch of a new personal rescue fall protection device. The Latchways Personal Rescue Device (PRD) with 3M Elavation Harness is a lightweight, unobtrusive device that can help give users an unassisted, gentle self-rescue.

“In a world of complex rescue solutions, simplified options are essential to helping ensure safety in the workplace,” says Mike Cimino, product marketing, 3M Personal Safety Division. “Unlike all other rescue devices, no specialist training is required with the Latchways PRD as the device is part of a standard harness and activation is simple.”

This lightweight PRD “backpack” is activated by pulling a parachute-type cord, allowing for self-rescue. In the event of a fall, the 3M Elavation harness suspends the wearer, while the Latchways PRD allows for a steady descent to the ground. Activated, the PRD can extend up to 65 feet, which is released at a controlled rate through a braking mechanism. If a wearer is unable to initiate self-rescue, the device can also be activated by another person through a built-in secondary release mechanism.

The Latchways Personal Rescue Device with 3M Elavation Harness is available in three sizes and can also be ordered with a Latchways Rescue Pole.

About 3M

3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products. Our culture of creative collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful technologies that make life better. 3M is the innovation company that never stops inventing. With $30 billion in sales, 3M employs 88,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.

About 3M Personal Safety Division

3M offers a comprehensive, diverse portfolio of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) solutions providing respiratory protection, hearing protection, fall protection, reflective materials for high-visibility apparel, protective clothing, protective eyewear, head and face protection, welding helmets, and other adjacent products and solutions, such as tactical safety equipment, detection, monitoring equipment, active communications equipment and compliance management. In 2012, 3M celebrated 40 years of occupational health and safety leadership – recognizing the company’s respiratory and hearing protection solutions introduced in 1972. Visit www.3M.com/PPESafety or http://m.3m.com/PPESafety.