A MANUFACTURER is urging arborists to take care after discovering a fault in a climbing connector.
ISC Wales officials are investigating a single occurrence of button assembly failure on one UltraLink model.
While they probe whether it is an isolated incident or part of a wider problem, they are urging climbers to avoid using the LK100A1.2 & LK101A1.2 versions of the connector and to carry out an immediate inspection.
An incident bulletin read: "We have been advised of a single incident of a button assembly failure on the LK100A1.2.
"Due to the risk of unintentional opening of the device, which could result in a life-threatening situation, we ask you to stop using the device and immediately conduct the inspection process detailed below.
"We are conducting an internal investigation to determine whether this is an isolated incident or whether there is a wider spread of parts.
"Further information will be shared as it becomes available."
In order to determine if the button is secure on your device, arborists should check the position of the button in relation to the collar into which it locates.
A steel ruler/straight-edge can be used to assess this – hold the ruler on edge along the width of
the button and press down – if there is movement, the button is above the collar.
If the button is level with the collar, then the device is suitable for continued use, with regulatory checks (pre-use, during and post-use).
If the button is higher than the collar, the device must be removed from service and you should contact ISC for further details.
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