Keeping up to speed with the industry’s latest standards and regulations can be a full-time job. At SMS, our product specialist team stays current on ANSI and OSHA compliance so that the product copy in our distributor catalogs reflects the latest information.
One important change we want to pass along is the proposed EPA ruling that is likely to revise how hearing protection devices (HPDs) are tested, rated and labeled.
The visible change will involve the way HPDs present the noise reduction rating (NRR), which describes the average sound level reduction, the attenuation in decibels (dB), that a hearing protector provides.
Instead of appearing as a single-number rating, the NRR will likely appear as a two-digit range to indicate the level of attenuation possible, depending on the employee’s level of training and motivation.
The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register August 5 and will go through a public comment period, ending November 4, 2009 (as well as a public hearing in October). Once that period ends, the EPA will issue a final rule, perhaps before year end. The current proposal states that manufacturers will have 30 months (2 ½ years) from the effective date of the regulation to comply with the new requirements.
To learn more, visit http://www.epa.gov/EPA-AIR/2009/August/Day-05/a18003.htm
You might also want to check out some websites from the industry’s hearing protection manufacturers. These include: www.NRRUpdate.com, www.howardleight.com/bestpractices, and http://www.moldex.com/non-product/tech-briefs/hearing/new-nrr-rating-system.php.
Kristen Hogrefe, October 12, 2009
For more information about SMS, visit http://www.growwithsms.com/ or email info@growwithsms.com
One important change we want to pass along is the proposed EPA ruling that is likely to revise how hearing protection devices (HPDs) are tested, rated and labeled.
The visible change will involve the way HPDs present the noise reduction rating (NRR), which describes the average sound level reduction, the attenuation in decibels (dB), that a hearing protector provides.
Instead of appearing as a single-number rating, the NRR will likely appear as a two-digit range to indicate the level of attenuation possible, depending on the employee’s level of training and motivation.
The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register August 5 and will go through a public comment period, ending November 4, 2009 (as well as a public hearing in October). Once that period ends, the EPA will issue a final rule, perhaps before year end. The current proposal states that manufacturers will have 30 months (2 ½ years) from the effective date of the regulation to comply with the new requirements.
To learn more, visit http://www.epa.gov/EPA-AIR/2009/August/Day-05/a18003.htm
You might also want to check out some websites from the industry’s hearing protection manufacturers. These include: www.NRRUpdate.com, www.howardleight.com/bestpractices, and http://www.moldex.com/non-product/tech-briefs/hearing/new-nrr-rating-system.php.
Kristen Hogrefe, October 12, 2009
For more information about SMS, visit http://www.growwithsms.com/ or email info@growwithsms.com
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