Edelrid said older rope-brake sets such as this one should not be used
Climbing experts have warned of further safety concerns about via ferrata sets after a second series of recalls of equipment by manufacturers.
The Bern-based Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme said severe injury or death could follow if climbers continue to use the recalled models.
The recall is the second within six months and follows a meeting at the ISPO trade show in Munich of the UIAA’s safety commission.
The UIAA, the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation, said: “Following a comprehensive test programme conducted on used or aged rope-friction-based via ferrata sets, the climbing industry has found that some of these sets can fail in a fall situation.
“The testing showed that the impact force in a fall may be increased and that the tensile strength of the lanyards may also be reduced in such a way that it could result in a full failure of the via ferrata set.
“Severe injury or death may be the consequence.”
Brands included in either the 2012 or 2013 recalls are: AustriAlpin, CT, Edelrid, Edelweiss, Mammut, Ocún, Salewa, Singing Rock, Stubai and Wild Country.
The UIAA said: “The level of the risk is dependent upon the specific model. Therefore each rope-friction-based via ferrata set owner should consult the information provided by the manufacturer of the set.
“The recall is the second alert about via ferrata sets in the past six months.
“There was a worldwide warning issued by the UIAA on 13 September 2012. It followed a fatal accident on 5 August 2012 on a via ferrata in the vicinity of Walchsee in Tirol, Austria where a climber fell several metres and both lanyards on the energy-absorbing devices, also known as klettersteig sets, broke.
“Changes have now been proposed to UIAA standard 128 for via ferrata sets. These will be up for a discussion and approval at the next UIAA Safety Commission meeting in May 2013.”
Edelrid contacted grough separately with details of its precautionary recall of via ferrata sets with a rope brake.
A company spokesperson said: “The tests showed that impact forces may be increased during a fall. When combined with used webbing arms with a reduced breaking strength the system may fail.
“In order to prevent any risks to users, Edelrid has decided to recall all affected sets as a precautionary measure. Please stop using the affected products immediately
“All private owners of a via ferrata set affected by the recall that is less than seven years old are requested to return it immediately either to directly to Edelrid or to a specialist retailer for forwarding to Edelrid.
“In return, you will receive a Cable Lite 2.2 via ferrata set as a replacement. This set conforms to the latest requirements of the German Alpine Club (DAV) Safety Commission and the certification bodies.
“In addition, there is also the option to upgrade to a more expensive model from this new generation for a surcharge.”
The company also said via ferrata sets older than seven years have reached their maximum service life and must no longer be used.
“These older sets should be withdrawn from use, regardless of model and design type,” it said. “Edelrid urgently requests that these older sets are destroyed. Edelrid assumes no responsibility for products that have exceeded their maximum service life.
“Edelrid wants to ensure that these older sets are no longer in use. We are therefore offering owners of an older via ferrata set from 2005 or earlier the opportunity to trade in their old set for a new Edelrid via ferrata set at a special price.”
Full details of the affected models and links to a frequently asked questions page are on the Edelrid website.
The list of models from other manufacturers which are subject either to today’s recall or last year’s are on the UIAA website in PDF form.
Via ferrata sets are specialist safety devices designed for use on vie ferrate, commonly found on Continental Europe’s mountains and which use a series of fixed ladders, ropes, rungs and bridges to enable climbers to follow set routes. Britain’s first via ferrata was set up on the side of Fleetwith Pike in the Lake District by Honister Slate Mine.
