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FAQ
Hearing Protection Products
"Be advised that some of these FAQs & Tech Briefs apply to U.S. Regulations, but may be of interest to users in other countries. Outside of the USA, check with all applicable and local government regulations."
- How can I assess my workplace for noise levels?
- Do Moldex® disposable foam earplugs contain natural rubber latex?
- Can the PlugStation® be refilled once we run out of earplugs?
- Where can the Moldex® PlugStation®/One-Stop PlugShop® be placed?
- Can Moldex® foam earplugs be washed and/or reused?
- Are Moldex® disposable foam earplugs considered hypoallergenic?
The purpose of assessing workplace noise is usually to determine if employee noise exposures exceed OSHA’s PEL of 90 dBA - 8 hour time weighted average (TWA), which is equivalent to a steady noise of 90 dBA for eight hours. Higher levels are allowed, but for shorter periods. For example, 95 dB is allowed if the duration is four hours and 100 dB is allowed for two hours (provided that these overexposures are equally compensated with underexposures). OSHA also sets an action level of 85 dBA - 8 hour TWA. Exceeding this action level requires implementation of a comprehensive hearing conservation program. Two methods for monitoring are acceptable, which include area monitoring and personal monitoring. In area monitoring, a sound level meter (SLM) is used to determine the noise levels in various work areas. In personal monitoring, the exposure is read off a dosimeter worn by an employee. It is recommended that when a noise assessment is required, you contact a certified industrial hygienist.
return to questionsNo. All Moldex®; disposable foam earplugs are manufactured with an acrylic polymer material. This material does not contain the proteins found in natural rubber latex, which usually is the cause of a latex allergic reaction.
return to questionsNo, the dispenser is designed to be recycled when empty. This promotes more hygienic dispensing of the product since many empty bottles would require cleaning when empty due to the dirty environments where they are located. The Moldex®PlugStation® is easy to replace and is a no worry solution.
return to questionsThe PlugStation® or One-Stop PlugShop® should be placed in:
- Easily accessible areas where workers frequent such as washroom, lunchroom, break room, tool crib/shed.
- Areas where hearing protection is needed.
- They should not be placed outside in direct exposure to the elements.
Moldex® foam earplugs, including SparkPlugs®, Pura-Fit®, Camo Plugs®, Goin' Green®, Softies®, Pura-Cones® and Traffic Cones® are all disposable foam earplugs and must be discarded once they are soiled/dirty. Disposable foam earplugs may not be washed or cleaned.
Depending on your environment and the employee's ear hygiene, disposable foam earplugs may need to be replaced at the end of each shift or possibly several times per day.
You will find the following links useful:
- OSHA Occupational noise exposure, OSHA 1910.95
- http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9735
- OSHA Noise & Hearing Conservation:
- http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/noisehearingconservation/index.html
- NIOSH Noise & Hearing Loss Prevention:
- http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/hpcomp.html
We do manufacture reusable earplugs that may be washed and reused, please visit our website link below for additional information.
return to questionsOur disposable earplugs have been tested to ISO 10993 Standard for Cytotoxicity and Primary Skin Irritation and have been determined to be hypoallergenic.
return to questions