Using PPE for material handling
Petzl products are designed and certified for movement, positioning and to protect people against falls from height. However, many work and rescue situations involve using PPE to move equipment or materials. Petzl authorizes this alternative use with loads of up to 100 kg.
Warnings
- Carefully read the Instructions for Use used in this technical advice before consulting the advice itself. You must have already read and understood the information in the Instructions for Use to be able to understand this supplementary information.
- Mastering these techniques requires specific training. Work with a professional to confirm your ability to perform these techniques safely and independently before attempting them unsupervised.
- We provide examples of techniques related to your activity. There may be others that we do not describe here.
Petzl products are not hoisting equipment.
Petzl products are PPE, certified to standards which give compliance with Regulation 2016/425 on Personal Protective Equipment.
In Europe, hoisting equipment and accessories are certified according to Machine Regulation 2023/1230 and must bear the corresponding CE marking. These may be winches, hoists, cranes, or PPE-like accessories such as shackles or slings. These products should be prioritized for use in any hoisting operation.
No Petzl product is certified according to the Machine Regulation. The markings on Petzl products do not meet the requirements of this regulation, nor the standards associated with it.
Some PPE standards require that the Instructions for Use specifically exclude hoisting: this is why the Instructions for COEUR PULSE, EASYTOP, WIRESTROP, CONNEXION, GRILLON (for example) mention, “Do not use this equipment as a means of hoisting”.
Petzl authorizes the use of PPE for material handling, with loads up to 100 kg.
Petzl PPE is designed for one or two-person use, with user mass generally ranging from 50 to 140 kg, or up to 280 kg depending on the equipment. However, when handling loads not covered by the PPE regulations, Petzl limits use to a maximum load of 100 kg.
Excepting the 100 kg maximum load, all instructions in the Instructions for Use for the equipment used must be followed.
The systems used for material handling must allow the load to be secured at all times, with no risk of it falling.
Tools may be carried on the harness equipment loops, within the load limits specified in the Instructions for Use. Other loads must be carried by independent systems, different from the rope systems used by people, and identified for this purpose (examples of identification: agreement between rope access workers at the same worksite, temporary labels, rope colors).
Above 100 kg, Petzl recommends the use of hoisting equipment.
Reality in the field: moving light loads with PPE.
Rope access workers and other PPE users often ask whether they can use their rope system and compatible equipment to haul and position loads: bulky tools, equipment bags, construction materials, climbing holds - the variety of examples demonstrates the real need in the field. This usage is taken into account in the codes of practice of the main organizations governing rope access work:
IRATA: ICOP
M.4.1 Bulky, cumbersome or heavy equipment (e.g. more than 8 kg) which may reduce the safety of the work, the suspension equipment or any part of it—e.g. due to an increase in mass—must be installed on a separate suspension system, secured by an independent anchor. Anchors and suspension ropes used for equipment must be clearly identified to avoid any confusion with those used to support rope access workers.
M.4.2 Suspended equipment must be properly balanced so that it can be easily positioned and moved from one work-post to another. It must be properly supported against the work surface and be stable during use. It may be necessary to attach multiple suspension supports to the tool to enable it to be easily moved around the work surface. This is usually done by attaching several lightweight anchors around the work surface.
SPRAT: Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians
14.2.2. Tools and equipment weighing more than 10 kg (22.1 lb) must be suspended on a separate rope system, attached to an independent anchor system. 14.2.3. Anchor systems and rope systems used for equipment must be clearly identified, to avoid any confusion with those used to support people.
