Important Voluntary Recall GYM/PANDION/PANJI Harnesses
Following our Safety Alert communication dated May 14, 2024, Petzl has worked with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada. In cooperation with these authorities, Petzl has decided to voluntarily recall the GYM, PANDION and PANJI harnesses.
September 12 2024
Current
As a reminder, Petzl has been made aware that a user of the Petzl GYM, PANDION, and PANJI harness can don the harness backwards and subsequently connect to the non-weight bearing leg loop elastic band, which places the user at risk of falling from height and sustaining serious injury.
This risk can occur when there is (1) inadequate or improper training and supervision; (2) failure to follow Petzl Instructions for Use and technical notice information; (3) failure to adhere to product warnings, including the black and white arrow pointing to the green attachment loop that reads, “ATTACH HERE”, and the bright orange left leg loop, and/or (4) failure to conduct equipment and partner checks to ensure that all equipment is correctly maintained, installed, donned and operated before and during use.
We have received one report in the United States suffering serious injuries from donning the harness backwards and connecting to the non-weight bearing leg loop elastic band.
Affected Products
The affected products were sold from January 2019 to May 2024.
Petzl C32 GYM, C29 / C29 N PANDION and C28AUA-C28ABA PANJI harnesses are not included in this voluntary recall.
If you are an Operator, Reseller or User:
- Stop sales
- Stop use
- Return harnesses for a free product modification
If you are an operator, reseller or user, then stop selling and using the voluntary recalled harnesses, and return them to Petzl for a free modification. Petzl will rework your harnesses and replace the original leg loop elastic band with a newly designed leg loop elastic band, free of charge, including shipping. Contact your local After Sales Service using this contact form.
Additionally, if you are a reseller, then contact all customers who purchased the affected harnesses with the attached communication.
Features of the new leg loop elastic band:
- The new leg loop elastic band incorporates a sewn-in label identifying the “BACK” of the harness to assist the user in properly donning the harness.
- It no longer has an adjustment function, which removes the space that was created between the bands below the adjustment buckle when the original elastic was tightened.
- The new leg loop elastic band has no impact on the size range of the harness.
- GYM, PANDION and PANJI harnesses purchased after July 24, 2024 will have a new IFU and be manufactured with the new leg loop elastic band with updated warnings, “ATTACH HERE ONLY” and “FRONT” to further indicate proper donning of the harness.
Educational Posters
Petzl provides the following educational posters to assist operators and users how to properly operate and don the harnesses. Operators must display these posters in their facilities for a minimum of 120 days, or longer as operators deem necessary.
=> Climbing Gym Operators: install the following posters in a visible, adequate, and highly trafficked public area, and train all of your employees and customers with the help of their contents:
=> Adventure Park Operators: install the following poster in a visible, adequate and highly trafficked public area, and train all of your employees and customers with the help of its contents:
Download the educational posters
Additional educational materials may be found on www.petzldealer.com. Contact Petzl After Sales Service for assistance.
Contact Petzl After Sales Service
For more information, contact Petzl toll-free at 877-807-3805 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, email at Returns@petzl.com or online at https://www.petzl.com/US/en/Operators/safety-alerts or www.petzl.com/US/en/Operators at the top of the page for more information.
This voluntary recall is in cooperation with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Act and the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act prohibit voluntary recalled products from being redistributed, sold or given away in the United States and Canada.
Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for additional statements related to this or other topics. This recall is also posted on the OECD Global Portal on Product Recalls website or Petzl GYM, PANDION, and PANJI Harnesses recalled due to fall hazard - Canada.ca.
FAQs
Where do I find my Serial Numbers?
Serial numbers are printed on the label inside the waistband. Format of Serial Numbers:
How long will it take Petzl to return my reworked harness to me?
It is our expectation that we will be able to return your harnesses within a few weeks, but we appreciate your patience.
Will you be able to provide me with a status update on the timing of my reworked harness?
You may call your local After Sales and Service department to check on the status of your rework harnesses. Contact Petzl toll-free at 877-807-3805 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. MT Monday through Friday or email at Returns@petzl.com.
Is this a voluntary government recall?
Yes. Petzl has voluntarily recalled this product with cooperation with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada.
Are other countries affected by this voluntary recall? What about France or Rest of the World?
Only the United States and Canada are affected by this recall. No other countries are affected by this voluntary recall.
Must I stop using, selling or giving away my recalled harnesses?
Yes. Consumer safety is our first priority. To ensure safety, you must stop use and sales, then return the harnesses for a modification, free of charge. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Act and the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act prohibit voluntary recalled products from being redistributed, sold or given away in the United States and Canada.
Is this the same product identified in the May 14 Safety Alert?
Yes.
What is the difference between the Safety Alert and the Voluntary Recall?
Safety Alert = optional return for a rework
Voluntary Recall = Mandate to return for a rework modification
Why did Petzl change from a safety alert to a voluntary recall in the United States and Canada?
Following our Safety Alert communication dated May 14, 2024, Safety Alert communication, Petzl has worked with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada. In cooperation with these authorities, Petzl decided to voluntarily recall the GYM, PANDION and PANJI harnesses and promote consumer safety.