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UTAH - TIMPANOGOS GROTTO OF THE N.S.S.
CPSC SAFETY RECALL

Fellow Cavers,

Check your gear bag and see if you have a Petzl GriGri 2 subject to recall. The faulty items can become stuck in the open position resulting in a fall. Please help spread the word!

It is interesting to note that this information was shared by Petzl to the world back at the end of June, but was just announced by the CPSC recall program early this morning on August 31, 2011.

NEWS from CPSC and HC
CPSC Seal


Health Canada Seal

U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission
www.cpsc.gov
  Health Canada
   www.hc-sc.gc.ca


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2011
Release #11-314 		Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 932-2978
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
HC Media Contact: (613) 957-2983

Petzl America Recalls Belay Devices Due to Fall Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: GRIGRI 2 belay device with assisted braking

Units: About 18,000 in the United States and about 2,000 in Canada

Importer: Petzl America Inc., of Clearfield, Utah

Manufacturer: Petzl SAS, of Crolles, France

Hazard: Excessive force on the handle can cause it to become stuck in the open position. When stuck open, the assisted braking function is disabled, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Seven devices worldwide, including one in the U.S., were returned after the users noticed that the handle could become stuck in the open position. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The GRIGRI 2 belay device is used by rock climbers to control the climber's safety rope during a fall or while being lowered on the rope. The first five digits of the serial numbers of devices affected by this recall range from 10326 to 11136. The serial number is engraved on the body of the product underneath and protected by the folded handle. The belay devices are 4 inches in length and 2 inches in width, and come in grey, blue, and orange colors.

Sold at: Sports and recreation stores in the U.S. and Canada from February 2011 to June 2011 for about $95.

Manufactured in: France

Remedy: Consumers should stop use of the affected GRIGRI 2s immediately, and contact Petzl America for a replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Petzl America at (800) 932-2978 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday or visit http://www.petzl.com/us/outdoor/us/recall-replacement-grigri-2

Note: Health Canada's press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1397




Picture of recalled belay devices
PETZL WEBSITE INFORMATION
Recall for Replacement: GRIGRI 2

Concerns all GRIGRI 2's (D14 2O, D14 2G, D14 2B) with the first five digits of the serial number between 10326 and 11136.
RecallBACKGROUND - Petzl has discovered that exerting excessive force on the fully extended handle of the GRIGRI 2 can cause internal damage, such that the GRIGRI 2 handle may become stuck in the open position, as pictured in Figure 1 below.

When the handle is stuck in the position shown in Figure 1, the assisted braking function is disabled. A damaged GRIGRI 2 in this configuration will function similarly to a manual belay device (e.g. tube-style device).
When using a damaged GRIGRI 2 with the handle stuck in the open position, failure to control the braking side of the rope will dramatically increase the risk of an uncontrolled descent, possibly resulting in injury or death.

A GRIGRI 2 with a damaged handle must be immediately retired from service.

Please note that failure to control the braking side of the rope is a misuse of the GRIGRI 2 under any circumstance (See the GRIGRI 2 Technical Notice - pdf file, 2.5Mo).

As of June 20, 2011, seven damaged GRIGRI 2 units have been returned to Petzl through our worldwide distribution network. Petzl has no knowledge of any accidents resulting from a damaged GRIGRI 2 handle.

Petzl Response -Because the safety of our users is our primary concern, as a precautionary measure Petzl has decided to take the following actions:

  • Ask users to immediately stop using all GRIGRI 2's with the first five digits of the serial number between 10326 and 11136.
  • Recall all affected GRIGRI 2's and replace with new, revised versions.
  • Petzl will pay for all shipping costs to complete this replacement.
  • Increase the mechanical strength of the handle on all GRIGRI 2's from serial number 11137 onward.
  • Begin shipping replacement GRIGRI 2's immediately. Users will receive replacements in the same order they return their old units to Petzl.

Every one of us here at Petzl is committed to resolving this issue as quickly and efficiently as possible. Thank you for your cooperation and support.

If you have a GRIGRI 2 (D14 2O, D14 2G, D14 2B) with the first five digits of the serial number between 10326 and 11136, stop use immediately and contact Petzl America to initiate an exchange.
For those in the US and Canada, the fastest way  to initiate the replacement process is to use the online tool.
You may contact Petzl America directly in one of two ways:
- By phone: 1 (800) 932-2978 (toll free)
- By email: grigri2recall@petzl.com
Petzl will pay all shipping costs associated with this exchange

Recall

NOTE: The previous generation GRIGRI is NOT affected by this recall.

Recall
 
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