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.

No. All Moldex® disposable foam earplugs are manufactured with an acrylic polymer material. This material is synthetic and does not contain the proteins found in natural rubber latex, which usually is the cause of a latex allergic reaction.

No, the dispenser is designed to be disposed of 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.

The 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 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.

We do manufacture reusable earplugs that may be washed and reused, please visit our website link below for additional information.

Moldex® Reusable Earplugs

If instructions on the packaging are followed (see below), our earplugs have been found to be nonirritating, tested to ISO 10993 Standard for Cytotoxicity and Primary Skin Irritation.

Ensure that your hands and fingers are clean prior to insertion and you insert earplugs in a non-contaminated area. Any contamination on your hands or fingers may transfer to the earplug and cause irritation.

If irritation, redness or discomfort occurs, discontinue use and consult a licensed health practitioner.

There are wide ranges of metal detectors used in the food processing industry and many are designed or have custom features, which may also have individual adjustable settings to suit the needs of that particular user.

Since it is nearly impossible to predict the size or shape of a potential metal contaminant, we suggest that you adjust your metal detector’s settings to its highest possible sensitivity setting.

For the Moldex #6615 Metal detectable SparkPlugs, we use a 2mm diameter chrome alloy steel ball which is 0.0372 grams. Some customers adjust the sensitivity of their detector system using a 1 cm long section of earplug cord (which is also made of a metal detectable material).

For the Moldex #6415 Metal detectable Rockets, we use a type 302 stainless steel spring. It is 0.350 inches long has a 0.100 diameter, which weighs 0.1 grams.

Although you may be physically able to restock corded earplugs into the empty Moldex PlugStations, we DO NOT recommend it. Moldex Corded PlugStations come pre-filled and therefore designed for the user’s convenience, to eliminate the cost and the time of refilling. Also, the PlugStation “Container Packaging” has been labeled as required by the EPA per ANSI Specs S3.19-1974 as well as with our specific lot number information per batch.

If you should have any other questions, please feel free to call us at 800-421-0668, ext. 512/550 or via email at: tech@moldex.com

While there are no regulations in the US or Canada governing the expiration of hearing protection devices, Moldex has recently added use by/expiration dates to most of our hearing protection products this year. Most of our HPD’s will now have a (5) year use/by expiration date with the exception of our Soothers foam earplugs and Glide Soothers Twist in earplugs, which have a (1) year use by/expiration date.

We believe that this will not be an issue of concern to our customers since this type of hearing protection is typically used quickly once purchased and would not normally be stored in bulk for extended periods of time.

All Moldex HPD “Hearing Protection Devices” are passive. We do not offer active HPDs at this time.

We do offer our BattlePlugs Impulse Earplugs for use as noted on the link below for use with by the Military and Law Enforcement.

Patented Moldex BattlePlugs earplugs use a unique filter built into the plug body to instantaneously reduce dangerous, sudden impulse noises (e.g. weapons fire) plus allow for easy communication and improved awareness in the cap open position.

No:
Moldex has taken a leadership position among global PPE manufacturers in seeking to reduce our environmental impact. The proactive steps we’ve taken include sourcing recyclable materials, printing literature on recycled paper, creating innovative technology designed to promote product durability and waste reduction, and manufacturing our products and packaging to be PVC-Free.