More than 15,000 Petzl ropes intended primarily for rope access work, caving, canyoning and other activities, have been recalled because of a risk of failure and possible injury. According to news reports, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a voluntary recall. The notice states that the ropes can have a deep cut or tape securing the ropes together, potentially leading to a break and a fall or injury hazard.
Details of the Recall
In July, Petzl posted a notice to consumers in July to check certain models of their low-stretch kernmantle ropes. Before this recall, the company said it received one report of the defect, which is traced to a defect in one of its rope-cutting machines. The defects, initially reported by a consumer who bought new Petzl AXIS 11 mm ropes, include a deep cut in one segment of the rope and a 2.1-meter scrap of rope taped to one end. Petzl has now moved to a full recall of nearly 14,850 ropes sold in the U.S and another 2,500 sold in Canada.
The ropes were reportedly designed for a wide range of applications and activities including technical rescue, industrial applications, climbing, caving mountaineering and more. Those who have these recalled ropes are urged to stop using them right away and inspect them for defects – be it deep cuts or ends taped together.
The recalled products were sold nationwide at retailers such as GME Supply, Karst Sports and other industrial and recreational stores. The ropes were sold online as well from March 2018 through July 2020 for between $200 and $1,200. The company said it has fixed the manufacturing defect. Anyone who finds a defect, owns a rope included in the recall, or who has more questions is asked to contact Petzl at 1-877-807-3805 or email [email protected].
Product Liability Issues
It is indeed a cause for concern that these ropes are used both in industrial settings and for recreational purposes especially for high-risk activities such as mountaineering, where participants may encounter a host of dangerous and unpredictable scenarios. While a rope may be a simple product, in such situations, they could make the difference between life and death. Defective products in such cases have the potential to cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a defective product, you may be able to seek compensation for the injuries, damages and losses you have sustained. An experienced product defect lawyer can help you better understand your legal rights and options.
Source: https://gearjunkie.com/petzl-climbing-rope-recall
