Workers will race to wear the new 3M Pistonz earplugs. As the officially licensed hearing protection for NASCAR, these radically different, metal-looking earplugs appeal to many workers, enhancing compliance to hearing conservation programs, the company says. Designed for insertion into the ear canal right out of the package without rolling the foam, the earplugs’ stems flex sideways if impacted during wear. The cylindrical shape of each Pistonz earplug is ultra soft for all-day use, says 3M. Pistonz earplugs fit and seal most ear canal sizes and have a noise reduction rating of 29 decibels, CSA Class Code AL.
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The $1.2-billion buy-out of Aearo Technologies Inc. will expand 3M’s product portfolio in the personal protection market, says Ken Symns, occupational health and environmental safety business manager at 3M Canada.