Moldex 6687 Glide — NRR 30dB, camo-pattern Uncorded Disposable Foam Earplugs, 50-Pair Jar, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95

Short answer: The Moldex 6687 is a camo-pattern uncorded disposable foam earplug in the Glide series — NRR 30dB, OSHA 1910.95 compliant, available in a 50-pair jar. Twist-in insertion without rolling — workers insert the Glide by gripping the stem and twisting into the ear canal. No roll-down step means no fingertip contact with the canal portion, resolving both the dirty-hands hygiene concern and the gloved-worker problem. With OSHA 50% derating, effective attenuation is approximately 11.5 dB, providing adequate protection in environments up to approximately 102 dB(A). Confirm suitability with noise dosimetry data from your industrial hygiene program.

Moldex 6687 Glide Uncorded Foam Earplugs — NRR 30dB

Reviewed by the WC Safety Editorial Team — hearing protection specialists with industrial hygiene and occupational health program experience. Last updated: May 2026.

The Moldex 6687 is the camo-pattern uncorded, 50-pair jar packaging of the Glide series — Moldex's smooth polyurethane foam with no-touch insertion disposable foam earplug with a rated NRR of 30 dB. The defining feature is the insertion method: twist rather than roll. In environments where workers wear gloves that cannot be removed (food processing, chemical plants, assembly with grip requirements), rolling a foam earplug is impractical or impossible. The Glide solves this without sacrificing foam comfort. NRR 30. Packaged in a 50-pair jar format. See all available formats: Moldex Earplugs at WC Safety → · Earplug Selection Guide →

Key Features — Moldex 6687 Glide

• Twist-in insertion without rolling: workers insert the Glide by gripping the stem and twisting into the ear canal. No roll-down step means no fingertip contact with the canal portion, resolving both the dirty-hands hygiene concern and the gloved-worker problem.
• Uncorded format — no cord interference for headset or face shield wearers: Uncorded earplugs are preferred when workers also wear communication headsets, neck-mounted equipment, welding helmets, or other gear where a hanging cord creates interference or discomfort
• Jar container — refillable, portable, and bench-accessible: The reusable jar provides convenient point-of-use access on workbenches, tool carts, and supervisor stations without requiring a full dispenser unit. Refill from the 50-pair jar or bulk box as needed
• Hygienic no-touch insertion: The twist-in insertion means no part of the finger needs to contact the portion of the earplug that enters the ear canal — reducing contamination risk in food processing and clean environments
• Disposable single-use design — no contamination risk between workers: As single-use hearing protection, the Glide eliminates shared-HPD contamination concerns in multi-shift programs. Each worker uses a fresh pair — no shared earplug hygiene issues from shared reusable devices
• OSHA 1910.95 compliance: The Glide carries an NRR established under ANSI S12.6 testing — meeting the requirements for hearing protective devices under OSHA's Hearing Conservation Standard. Documents provided on request for program compliance files

Applications — When to Use Moldex Glide Earplugs

• Gloved workers in food and beverage manufacturing
• Chemical processing operators with glove requirements
• Assembly workers with grip-glove requirements
• Workers who refuse to roll foam due to hygiene concerns
• Cold weather outdoor work where gloves stay on

NRR 30 Noise Reduction — Environment Reference

Using OSHA's 50% derating method, the Moldex Glide provides approximately 11.5 dB effective attenuation in real-world use:

Estimated exposure uses OSHA 50% derating: (NRR − 7) ÷ 2 = 11.5 dB effective attenuation. Actual attenuation varies with fit quality. Always confirm with industrial hygiene noise dosimetry.

Glide — Available Formats

Moldex 6687 vs. Alternatives

OSHA Compliance — 29 CFR 1910.95 Hearing Conservation

All Moldex earplugs listed in this collection are hearing protective devices (HPD) evaluated under the ANSI S12.6 standard. The Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is established per 40 CFR Part 211 (EPA labeling requirements). Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95, the employer must implement a Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) whenever workers are exposed to a TWA at or above 85 dB(A).

• Action Level (85 dB TWA): Hearing Conservation Program required — employer must enroll workers in audiometric testing, provide hearing protectors, and conduct annual training. HPD use is voluntary above AL but below PEL
• PEL (90 dB TWA): Hearing protector use is mandatory. The selected HPD must reduce the worker's effective noise exposure to at or below the PEL. With NRR 30 and OSHA derating, effective attenuation is approximately 11.5 dB — meaning the Glide is appropriate in environments up to ≈ 102 dB(A)
• NRR derating (OSHA recommended method): Effective attenuation = (NRR − 7) ÷ 2. Moldex NRR 30 → (30 − 7) ÷ 2 = 11.5 dB. This is a conservative real-world estimate that accounts for field-use fit variability. Laboratory NRR values consistently exceed field performance
• Dual hearing protection: When noise levels exceed the protection capacity of a single HPD (approximately 102 dB for NRR 30), OSHA requires dual protection — earplugs plus earmuffs. Dual protection adds approximately 5 dB above the higher-rated device alone
• Audiometric testing: OSHA 1910.95(g) requires baseline and annual audiograms for all workers exposed at or above the 85 dB(A) action level. A standard threshold shift (STS) triggers program review and possible HP upgrade
• HPD training: OSHA 1910.95(k) requires annual training covering: noise effects on hearing, earplug selection, fitting procedure, care, and inspection. Training must be documented
• Fit matters as much as NRR: An NRR 33 earplug inserted incorrectly provides less protection than an NRR 25 earplug inserted correctly. Earplug fit testing (individual fit testing, or IFT) is not required by OSHA but is strongly recommended by NIOSH and the NHCA for programs in high-noise environments

Frequently Asked Questions — Moldex 6687 Glide

What is the NRR and what does NRR 30 mean?

NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) is the attenuation value established by laboratory testing per ANSI S12.6 and required on all HPD packaging by EPA 40 CFR Part 211. NRR 30 means the earplug achieved 30 dB of attenuation under ideal laboratory conditions. OSHA recommends applying a 50% derating for real-world use: (30 − 7) ÷ 2 = 11.5 dB effective attenuation. This accounts for fit variability in the field. In a 100 dB environment with properly fitted Glide earplugs, your estimated effective exposure is ≈ 88.5 dB — below the 90 dB OSHA PEL.

How do I insert the Glide correctly?

Twist-in insertion — no roll-down required. Grip the stem, twist gently into the ear canal. Proper insertion is the most critical variable for achieving the rated NRR in the field. A poorly inserted earplug can provide significantly less protection than the rated NRR regardless of the earplug's quality. Moldex provides fit-check instructions with bulk packaging; training workers on correct insertion technique is an OSHA-required element of the Hearing Conservation Program under 29 CFR 1910.95(k).

Can I reuse the Glide?

The Glide is a disposable earplug. Moldex recommends replacing after each shift or when the earplug is visibly soiled, compressed, or has lost its ability to roll back to shape. Do not wash and reuse disposable foam earplugs — washing degrades the foam matrix and reduces attenuation. Reusable alternatives in the Moldex lineup include the Rockets, Alphas, and Jetz series → for programs targeting reduced disposable waste.

When is the Glide not sufficient and what do I do?

With OSHA 50% derating, NRR 30 provides approximately 11.5 dB effective attenuation — protecting workers in environments up to approximately 102 dB(A). If your noise dosimetry documents exposures above 102 dB(A), a single earplug is not sufficient. Options: (1) add earmuffs over earplugs (adds ~5 dB above the higher NRR device), (2) switch to a higher-NRR earplug, or (3) use an NRR 33 earplug such as 6820 Mellows. Engineering controls (noise enclosures, vibration isolation, process modification) should always be evaluated as the primary controls before relying on additional PPE.

What is OSHA's Hearing Conservation Standard and does it apply to my workplace?

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95 applies to all general industry workplaces where any worker is exposed to a noise TWA at or above 85 dB(A). If your workplace has equipment, processes, or areas generating this level, you are required to implement a Hearing Conservation Program. This includes: noise monitoring, HCP enrollment, audiometric testing, HPD provision, training, and recordkeeping. For construction, OSHA 1926.52 applies. If you are not sure whether your workplace noise levels trigger the standard, contact a certified industrial hygienist for noise dosimetry measurements.

Does the jar packaging affect the earplugs inside?

The jar protects earplugs from dust, moisture, and contamination between uses. Keep the jar closed when not in use. Do not store the jar where it is exposed to direct sunlight, heat, or solvent vapors, which can degrade the foam over time.