New NRR Labeling Coming Soon

Many don’t realize that it is actually the EPA (not OSHA) that regulates how earplugs/earmuffs are rated and labeled. The EPA is expected to pass a new regulation on how manufacturers of these products label them for the end users.

Currently, they simply put a number on the package (i.e., 29 NRR). The number indicates how many decibels the plug or earmuff is expected to reduce the noise in the area (NRR = noise reduction rating). The problem is that this system is dramatically flawed.  It really does NOT represent the protection that most employees really get when they try to put the plug in themselves. This problem has caused thousands of employees to lose some of their hearing throughout the years.

If this new regulation becomes enacted, the new NRR will focus attention on proper fit and training in ways that the old method never addressed. The new label will give a two-number range of expected protection. This range is dependant on how well the employee fits the protector. Ultimately, this new standard should pass and we should start seeing this new labeling in the next 2 – 5 years.

Please take a look at this article to learn more on this topic. 

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 7:45 am and is filed under Safety Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.