 Summary In July 2019, 3M issued stop use and product recall notices on two products frequently used by ironworkers in steel erection applications. The first is 3M™ PROTECTA® Cobra Mobile/Manual Rope Grab AC202D, which is incorrectly stamped for use with 1/2 to 3/4 inch diameter rope on the exterior body of the unit. This Cobra Rope Grab is certified for use ONLY with 5/8 inch diameter polyester or polypropylene rope. All marketing information and the Instructions for Use (IFU) for this rope grab correctly identify the size of rope to be used as 5/8 inch polyester/polypropylene rope. In the event of a fall from height, a Cobra Rope Grab used with 1/2 inch diameter rope may not arrest the fall and could result in serious injury or death to the worker. Read the full Stop Use & Product Recall for verification steps and replacement or financial reimbursement options if you are affected by the recall.
In addition, on July 25, 2019, 3M launched a global stop use and recall of the Nano-Lok edge and Wrap Back Twin-Leg SRL units, followed by an Aug. 6, 2019 update and solution. 3M determined that in a fall and under certain conditions, the energy absorber of these devices may not properly deploy which could expose the worker to serious injury or death. The solution has been identified, tested and certified to the ANSI standard Z359.14. With this solution, the energy absorber of these units will deploy properly under all circumstances of use for which these products are intended. The affected units can now be repaired and safely returned to service. Read the full press release, download the original stop use notice, solution information, and how to file your claim here. Best Practices File and record invoices for equipment purchases as reference for future manufacturer recalls. Safety professionals can subscribe to safety and health focused newsletters for their industry to stay abreast of notifications. Upon learning of recalls that may affect equipment you own, engage with fleet managers, service personnel, and other departments immediately to verify whether your equipment is included in the recall. Train employees to inspect equipment prior to each use, teaching them to recognize defects and report them when found. Managers should listen when employees voice concerns over issues they have with equipment. Always report this to the manufacturer, which could help them identify a trend, leading to a recall notification. Resources
This Safety Flash was contributed by SEAA’s Safety Committee. It is designed to keep members informed about ongoing safety issues and to provide suggestions for reducing risk. Best practices are gathered from a variety of sources. They may be more or less stringent than individual corporate policies, and are not intended to be an official recommendation from SEAA. Always get approval and direction from your company officers on any new practice or procedure as these best practices may not work for all situations. Everyone benefits when a worker avoids injury. Submit your ideas for Safety Flash to executivedirector@seaa.net. Comments are closed.
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