Ropewrench PPE?

[Amelanchier]

I disagree with your kit taxonomy Pete.

 

The RW is an entirely different genus to the bit of string; loading the RW is integral to the climbing system insofar as it reduces the loading on the hitch. Without it you increase the loading on the hitch.

 

Clearly I'm not a user, but perhaps those out there that are could clarify - I would imagine that the hitch is tied to account for the RW and therefore less wraps are used than one might ordinarily consider appropriate for solo use on a single line? Once tied with the RW, would you be able dynamically load the hitch without melting anything if you removed it?

 

Of course in reality possibilites are junk and probabilities are all that counts, and for the record, given the materials and loading involved the likelihood of failure of the RW is negligible IMO.

[Mark Bolam]

One of the primary considerations when using the RW is a bulletproof hitch that grips immediately and every time. Sloppy racing hitches just won't do, or you are asking for trouble.

 

The 'Not for primary life support' clearly emblazoned on the wrench should give a fairly big clue as to what it is about.

 

If your wrench failed catastrophically you would just hang there.

 

Might be a bugger to get down, mind....

[High Scale]

I disagree with your kit taxonomy Pete.

 

The RW is an entirely different genus to the bit of string; loading the RW is integral to the climbing system insofar as it reduces the loading on the hitch. Without it you increase the loading on the hitch.

 

Clearly I'm not a user, but perhaps those out there that are could clarify - I would imagine that the hitch is tied to account for the RW and therefore less wraps are used than one might ordinarily consider appropriate for solo use on a single line? Once tied with the RW, would you be able dynamically load the hitch without melting anything if you removed it?

 

Of course in reality possibilites are junk and probabilities are all that counts, and for the record, given the materials and loading involved the likelihood of failure of the RW is negligible IMO.

 

More wraps or a shorter more compact hitch is necessary when using the RW, the whole point of the RW is to lessen the load on the hitch so a single line can be used something that's not possible without the RW.

 

You wouldn't NORMALLY climb on a single line using a rope hitch and I don't think I have ever heard of anybody using just a rope hitch on a single line. I myself have taken the RW off my line and sat back and the hitch just locked up. The RW is not PPE same as a Pantin is not PPE.

 

 

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

 

Give HSE a call Tim.

Edited February 29, 2012 by High Scale

[scotspine1]

Regardless of the maker's warning 'Not for primary life support' explain how the Ropewrench would not fall into this category -

 

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.

[Peter]

Can you clarify which European Directive that is from Tim?

 

The way you are interpreting it would mean if you hung a packet of fags from your harness they would need to be CE marked.

[scotspine1]

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

 

Give HSE a call Tim.

 

Not my style Carl. It's not up to me to call HSE, its the dealer's responsibility to ensure the equipment being sold meets the current industry legislation regarding PPE.

[Peter]

Don't worry Tim, found it.

 

directive 89/686/EEC on Personal Protective Equipment

 

3.4

 

Equipment for climbing, rock climbing, speleology etc. (ice-axes, hammers, descenders not fitted with a built-in speed-regulating system, rope-climbing equipment, etc.)

 

Category 0 (ie not PPE)

[Mark Bolam]

What you are trying to say Tim is that yours has arrived and you think it looks scary?

 

Why don't you pop it in the post to me with crisp £20 note, and I will put a CE mark on it for you?

 

Peters packet of fags analogy about sums up the way this PPE madness is heading at the minute.

[High Scale]

Not my style Carl. It's not up to me to call HSE, its the dealer's responsibility to ensure the equipment being sold meets the current industry legislation regarding PPE.

 

I'm sure the dealers involved with selling the rope wrench in this country are bright enough to know that it's not PPE.

[Ian Flatters]

It is classed as a figure 8 device by the way. Plus the hitch is classed as the control and the system, its a complete system but your life isnt at risk if it fails (RW) so no requirement for it to be classed as PPE or a CE mark. Its just a figure 8 turned the other way, unlike the unicender if one of its components fail the you fail. I've been looking into this and how a base anchor should be which turns out 2 points of attachment at the base and 2 points on the line in case of strop or component failure. So these would be required to pass PPE/CE guidelines.

 

Like i've said since looking into SRT climbing i have for the past week been scouring the net reading articles and finding what is applicable to our industry in the UK.