Ropewrench PPE?

[scotspine1]

Would the Ropewrench fall into the category of PPE? or is it just a climbing aid similar to the idea a set of climbing spikes are a climbing aid - you wear them to aid you in your climbing but they dont fall within the category of PPE?

 

What confuses things for me is the Ropewrench seems similar to a Figure 8 belay device, in that it is belaying (or adding friction to) the rope albeit in a different way. But a Figure 8 would be classed as PPE.

 

Where does all this leave a Loler examiner when they see a Ropewrench in a climbing kit bag?

 

cheers

[Peter]

I see it as a climbing aid not ppe, if it failed in use then the hitch should hold on its own, just as if your spikes failed you shouldn't fall.

[Paul Smith]

It's not rated for ppe and even says it on the side.

[Ian C]

It's not rated for ppe and even says it on the side.

 

Having a thicko moment again Tim:001_tt2:

[scotspine1]

Just found this - according to the relevant European Directive relating to PPE for climbing -

 

3. Any system placed on the market in conjunction with PPE for its connection to another external, additional device shall be regarded as an integral part of that equipment even if the system is not intended to be worn or held permanently by the user for the entire period of risk exposure.

 

the Ropewrench should be classed as PPE, but isn't it CE Marked?

 

Why are UK arb dealers selling a non CE Marked product which falls into the PPE category?

[Ian Flatters]

Just found this - according to the relevant European Directive relating to PPE for climbing -

 

3. Any system placed on the market in conjunction with PPE for its connection to another external, additional device shall be regarded as an integral part of that equipment even if the system is not intended to be worn or held permanently by the user for the entire period of risk exposure.

 

the Ropewrench should be classed as PPE, but isn't it CE Marked?

 

Why are UK arb dealers selling a non CE Marked product which falls into the PPE category?

 

So how do figure 8's fit into this as the Ropewrench is a figure 8 braking device. On the flip side the has opened up pantins and hand ascender into this equasion. My Petzl hand ascender and pantin are not PPE rated in our industry they are for caving tho.

[Peter]

Just found this - according to the relevant European Directive relating to PPE for climbing -

 

3. Any system placed on the market in conjunction with PPE for its connection to another external, additional device shall be regarded as an integral part of that equipment even if the system is not intended to be worn or held permanently by the user for the entire period of risk exposure.

 

the Ropewrench should be classed as PPE, but isn't it CE Marked?

 

Why are UK arb dealers selling a non CE Marked product which falls into the PPE category?

 

I think you've tried to add 2 and 2 and come with last Tuesday there Tim.

[Amelanchier]

Shirley it can't be a climbing aid if its going to be loaded as part of the main attachment in a fall? You could define each seperate component of a climbing system as an aid if you consider them in isolation.

[Peter]

Not really, if any component of a conventional system failed, ie biner, hitch climber or hitch cord, that would result in failure of the whole system.

 

The RW is in the same category as a bit of string round your neck holding your footlock strop.

[Mark Bolam]

My ropewrench isn't PPE.

 

Neither are my AKU Crodas or Craghoppers chainsaw trousers....