Posted on 20th Apr 2013 @ 10:22 AM
Do NOT use your Zigzag until further notice!
Released by Petzl:
Safety Alert
Stop use Petzl ZIGZAG mechanical Prusik
Sku. D22
This information is complementary to the Safety Information issued April 15, 2013
On Friday, April 12, Petzl was informed of an accidental fall in a training center in Germany. The injured person was moving at height using a Petzl ZIGZAG mechanical Prusik. The initial observations have shown that the fall was due to a failure of the rope end attachment hole. Our investigation and further testing lead us to conclude that this failure was the result of a particular configuration of a cantilevered and off axis loaded upper carabiner.
Petzl test Results:
1/3 - Breaking strength of the ZIGZAG’s rope end attachment hole
With this carabiner configuration, the breaking strength of the rope end attachment hole is greater than 15 kN.
2/3 - ZIGZAG with a cantilevered upper carabiner
This is an incorrect configuration. Note: most of the carabiners tested this way pivot and correct themselves to be loaded on the major axis starting at 2 kN of force. Some carabiners pivoted and corrected themselves at 10 kN, without damaging the upper attachment hole.
3/3 - ZIGZAG with a cantilevered and off axis upper loaded upper carabiner
This is an incorrect configuration.
In this configuration, we have observed a failure of the rope end attachment hole of the ZIGZAG under 4 kN of charge (equivalent to short fall, repeated shock or sudden stop, etc).
The cantilevered upper carabiner in this particular configuration multiplies the forces applied to the rope end attachment hole, leading to its failure.
Petzl decisions:
1 - As a measure of precaution, we ask that you stop using your ZIGZAG mechanical Prusik.
2 - This stoppage will remains in place until we have approved and communicated an appropriate solution to maximize the safety of ZIGZAG users.
3 - We have decided to stop sales of ZIGZAG mechanical Prusiks.
4 - While there currently may be several solutions to maintain the upper carabiner correctly oriented on its major axis, Petzl cannot presently guarantee their effectiveness in all circumstances because we have not tested them sufficiently.
5 - Our teams are mobilized to quickly develop and verify a solution specifically for the ZIGZAG to maintain the upper carabiner oriented on its major axis.
6 - The availability of this solution will be communicated on http://www.petzl.com by May 22, 2013 at the latest.
We are fully aware of the inconvenience caused by this issue. Please accept our apologies and know we take this issue very seriously. The safety of our users is Petzl’s first priority. Thank you for your continued trust.
Here we go.....
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