All Petzl Scorpio models are now covered by the recall notice

Gear manufacturer Petzl has widened its safety warning on lanyards to include all Scorpio models.

The French firm initially warned of safety problems with its via ferrata lanyards, a specialist piece of gear for use when tackling vie ferrate.

It is now warning owners of all Scorpio via ferrata lanyards to stop using them and return them to their local distributor for inspection.

In the UK Lyon Equipment in Dent, Cumbria, are the distributors.

The original safety alert followed an incident on 5 May when a climber on a via ferrata route near Grenoble in France had a groundfall. Subsequent inspection of his lanyard – a specialised y-shaped sling used as a safety device while climbing vie ferrate – had a potential fault with bar tacks, which are rows of stitching vital to the correct performance of the lanyard under load in a climber’s fall.

The Crolles-based company originally thought the fault was only with Scorpio L60 and Scorpio L60CK lanyards made before 4 March 2005.

But now, it says all Scorpio lanyards manufactured before 17 May 2011 should be inspected and users should stop using them. The product numbers affected are: L60, L60 CK, L60 2, L60 2CK, L60 H, L60 WL, K29VF 1, K29VF 2, K29VE 1, K29VE 2, K29V 1, K29V 2.

The recall affects all the lanyards with serial numbers up to 11137****.

Laurent de la Fouchardière of Petzl posted on grough’s original story: “We are clearly aware of the problems caused by these actions and we ask you to accept our apologies for this inconvenience.”

He said safety is the firm’s greatest priority. “The entire Petzl company is focused on resolving this issue as quickly and efficiently possible,” he added.
“We greatly appreciate your help to inform all users.”

The same recall also affects personal protection equipment the company makes for working at height. Petzl said anyone with an Absorbica tear webbing lanyard should stop using it and inspect it to make sure the bar tacks are all present.

Petzl said its Zyper and Zyper Vertigo via ferrata lanyards and PPE lanyards with ASAP mobile fall arresters are not affected by the recall.

Full details of the recall, along with contact telephone number and email, are on the Petzl website.