Person fell after safety lanyard failed

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 14 July 2011
  • Generated on 15 August 2025
  • IMCA SF 06/11
  • 1 minute read

Information has been passed to IMCA regarding the possible failure of a certain kind of safety lanyard owing to manufacturing defects.

The working at height equipment manufacturer, Petzl, reported that a climber fell to the ground while recreational climbing in France.

According to the latest information available, the accident appears to have been the result of a manufacturing defect of the Petzl SCORPIO lanyard. The defect consisted of a missing safety stitch (bar tack) on the attachment loop.

Equipment of this sort is used by some IMCA member’s. All Members are encouraged to pass this information to the appropriate personnel and instigate appropriate checks of any similar equipment.

Further information is available from the manufacturer on request.

An inspection procedure has been developed by the manufacturer and is also available on request.

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