Duluth - Product Recalls

MSA Issues STOP USE NOTICE
Redpoint™ and Auto-Belay Descenders

St. Paul, MN October 15, 2009

The Climbing Wall Association (CWA) forwarded to all of its members a stop use notice that MSA issued, dated 10/14/2009 for certain products described below. MSA very recently became aware of two incidents where climbers using Redpoint Descenders experienced rapid rates of descent resulting in injuries. MSA's preliminary investigation indicates an issue with the one-way bearings provided by their supplier, which may prevent the brakes from engaging during descent. Due to the nature of this condition, the users were not able to detect the problem before the rapid descents occurred.

The Stop Use Notice applies to the following descender unit

All Redpoint Descenders (part numbers 10024873, 10027646, and 10027798) regardless of the date the unit was manufactured or last serviced

Auto-Belay Descenders (part number 10021806) manufactured or last serviced on or after June 30, 2000

The part number, date of manufacture, and date of last factory service of the unit is located on the white date of manufacture label affixed to the back of the housing.

Based on these findings, MSA is advising affected users to discontinue using the Redpoint and Auto-Belay Descenders indicated above. Please forward this notice to all appropriate personnel.

MSA regrets this inconvenience; however, the company recognizes that this condition represents a potential safety concern. MSA will issue a follow-up notice shortly, after conducting further investigation into this matter. During the investigation, MSA will not be shipping any Redpoint Descenders currently on order or in for service, and will not be taking any new orders.

If you have any questions, please contact MSA Customer Service at 1-800-MSA-2222 or 412-967-3000

END

Press Release ..........
MSA Issues Stop Use Notice
Redpoint (tm) and Auto-Belay Descenders

Boulder, Colorado; October 15, 2009 MSA issued a stop use notice dated 10/14/2009 for certain products described below. MSA very recently became aware of two incidents where climbers using Redpoint Descenders experienced rapid rates of descent resulting in injuries. MSA's preliminary investigation indicates an issue with the one-way bearings provided by their supplier, which may prevent the brakes from engaging during descent. Due to the nature of this condition, the users were not able to detect the problem before the rapid descents occurred.

The Stop Use Notice applies to the following descender units:

All Redpoint Descenders (part numbers 10024873, 10027646, and 10027798) regardless of the date the unit was manufactured or last serviced,

Auto-Belay Descenders (part number 10021806) manufactured or last serviced on or after June 30, 2000.

The part number, date of manufacture, and date of last factory service of the unit is located on the white date of manufacture label affixed to the back of the housing.

Based on these findings, MSA is advising affected users to discontinue using the Redpoint and Auto-Belay Descenders indicated above. Please forward this notice to all appropriate personnel.

MSA regrets this inconvenience; however, the company recognizes that this condition represents a potential safety concern. MSA will issue a follow-up notice shortly, after conducting further investigation into this matter. During the investigation, MSA will not be shipping any Redpoint Descenders currently on order or in for service, and will not be taking any new orders.

If you have any questions, please contact MSA Customer Service at 1-800-MSA-2222 or 412-967-3000

July 30, 2008
Climbing Wall Association

Press Release
New England Ropes/Maxim Issues Recall Notice
Maxim Apogee 9.1MM and 9.5 Pinnacle Dynamic Climbing Lines

Boulder, Colorado; July 30, 2008 In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Maxim is announcing a voluntary recall of Maxim's Apogee 9.1mm Dynamic Climbing Line (These Climbing lines were sold to consumers from August 2006 through May 2008. Both colors yellow and fire will be included in the recall.) and Maxim's Pinnacle 9.5mm Blue std Dry Dynamic Climbing Line (These Climbing lines were sold to consumers from February 2007 through May 2008).

Please go to Maxim's website HERE for descriptions, photos, affected lot/job numbers, and to complete the recall questionnaire.

Reason: The reason for this recall is the product may not pass the required 5 falls, and may pose a serious risk over time.

Consumers are to immediately stop using the dynamic climbing lines and to contact Maxim by phone (866-617-9038). Consumers should return the recalled dynamic climbing lines directly to Maxim for a product replacement.

The News Release will be accessible on the CPSC's website, www.cpsc.gov, and Maxim's website, http://ww w.neropes.com/maxim/recall/. We ask that you make this information available to your associates as soon as possible so they may make contact with any possible consumers by whatever manner you believe appropriate.

Maxim / New England Ropes greatly appreciates your assistance in this important effort and your continuing support of Maxim / New England Ropes and its products.

About the Climbing Wall Association, Inc. (CWA). The CWA is a 501(c)(06), non-profit, industry trade association incorporated in May of 2003 for manufacturers of climbing wall equipment, builders of climbing walls, operators of climbing walls, and others involved in the climbing industry. The CWA is the only trade association addressing the needs and interests of the climbing wall industry and climbing wall operators. The mission of the Climbing Wall Association is to support the development of the climbing wall industry, to promote the sport of climbing, and to advocate for the interests of our members. This announcement is being forwarded as a service to our members and subscribers.

Together we're stronger.

Climbing Wall Association, Inc.
William Zimmermann
Executive Director
email: bill@climbingwallindustry.org
phone: 720-838-8284

Maxim's Recall Hotline
Telephone: 866-617-9038

May 1, 2008
Petzl Gri-Gri New Belay Technique

For immediate release.

December 28, 2006
Harness Recall

For immediate release.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 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. (To access color photos of the following recalled products, see CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov.)

Name of Product: Edelweiss Challenge Climbing Harnesses

Units: About 5,900

Distributor: Liberty Mountain, of Salt Lake City, Utah

Hazard: The buckles on the harness leg loops could fail, posing a fall hazard for climbers.

Incidents/Injuries: Liberty Mountain has received five reports of the leg buckle failing. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The sit harnesses are worn around climber's waist and legs and attach to climbing ropes to protect climbers from falling. The harnesses have three buckles including one on the waist belt and one on each leg loop. "Edelweiss" is printed on the waist belt. Only harnesses using the para buckle system are included in this recall. Para buckle harnesses have a single bar installed in the center of each of the three buckles.

Sold at: Climbing equipment retailers, Liberty Mountainís catalog, and by various Web retailers from January 2005 through September 2006 for about
$47.

Manufactured in: France

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled harnesses and contact Liberty Mountain for instructions on returning the harnesses including a return authorization number. Liberty Mountain will provide a free inspection and free repair.

Send your harness for repair to:

Liberty Mountain
4375 West 1980 South,
Salt Lake City, Utah 84104

Customer Contact: For more information, contact Liberty Mountain at (800) 366-2666, by fax at (801) 954-0766, by e-mail at info@ libertymountain.com, or visit the firm's web site at www.libertymountain.com.

November 1, 2006
Petzl Issues Recall Notice

For immediate release.
AM'D Ball-Lock and William Ball-Lock Carabiners

Boulder, Colorado. November 1, 2006. Petzl America voluntarily announced a recall of Petzl M34 BL Am'D BALL-LOCK and M36 BL William BALL-LOCK carabiners on October 18th. The affected carabiners have a metal locking sleeve with a green button. There is a possibility that the sleeve can be unlocked without pressing the green button. Affected units were sold during March and July, 2006. No incidents or injuries have been reported.

This recall does not apply to the older nylon-sleeve locking system, but only to Ball-Lock carabiners with the metal locking sleeve manufactured in March and July, 2006. This recall is in effect only in the USA – it does not affect BALL-LOCK carabiners sold in other countries.

Customers should stop using the recalled carabiners immediately until inspected. If you have a BALL-LOCK carabiner with the metal sleeve with a batch number between 06076 and 06178, you may return it to the place of purchase or to Petzl America for inspection and possible replacement. An inspection procedure is provided on the Petzl site.

For assistance in any matter related to this recall, please contact Petzl America at 877-807-3805 or rcl.bl06@petzl.com.

To view the Petzl recall notice: http://en.petzl.com/petzl/Accueil.

To view the CPSC recall notice: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07010.html.

To view the product safety bulletin: NOTICE_BALL-LOCK_RCL06.pdf .

January 12, 2006
Alien Cam Recall

Colorado Custom Hardware (CCH) has recently completed an investigation, and extensive testing of our product to identify and isolate safety issues concerning the brazing on CCH Alien cams. The safety of our customers is our number one priority and therefore we are issuing a recall for any cam bearing the marking described below.

The units with this issue are marked with a small center punch dimple (picture) at the base of the round ball where the axle goes through the cable eye. Although few failures have been reported, CCH recommends immediately discontinuing the use of any Alien cams with this mark. We are issuing a full recall of these cams. Please return them to CCH for a free replacement. You can mail your cams to:

Colorado Custom Hardware Inc.
ATTN: Brazing Recall
115 East Lyon Street
Laramie, WY 82072

CCH has always worked to assure the absolute highest quality of every cam we produce, and we are currently working on ways to further enhance our already stringent standards of quality control. Again, I would like to reiterate that ensuring the quality and safety of all CCH products is our highest priority.

Sincerely,
David Waggoner
President of Colorado Custom Hardware

PRODUCT RECALLS