Petzl America has recalled approximately 22,000 GYM, PANDION and PANJI climbing harnesses due to a fall hazard.
The recall was issued following reports of people in the United States suffering serious injuries after falling over.
The problem is that people accidentally put their climbing harness on backwards, attaching the rope and carabiner to the rubber bands on the leg loops that aren't supporting their weight. If the rubber bands break, the user could fall.
Petzl said the hazard puts users at “risk of falling from height and suffering serious injury, including paralysis or death.”
Petzl is recalling three climbing harnesses: the GYM harness (model number C032AA00), the PANDION harness (model numbers C029AA00 and C029AA01) and the PANJI harness (model number C028AA00).
The harnesses were sold across the US to consumers, climbing gym operators, adventure parks, guiding companies and search and rescue teams from January 2019 through May 2024. The recall includes approximately 22,000 units in the US and an additional 5,800 in Canada.
Petzl is urging customers to immediately stop using the harnesses and contact the company to inquire about how to return the harness to Petzl for a free modification.
Petzl said: “We will redesign the harness and replace the original leg loop straps with newly designed leg loop straps free of charge, including free shipping.”
The repairs include new leg loop elastic bands with updated warnings and a sewn-in label identifying the “back” of the harness.
For more information, please visit the recall website: https://www.petzl.com/US/en/Operators/safety-alerts/2024-9-12/Important-Voluntary-Recall-GYM-PANDION-PANJI-Harnesses.
Source: Petzl America recalls GYM, PANDION, and PANJI climbing harnesses due to fall hazard
