Petzl America Recalls Belay Devices Due to Fall Hazard

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, 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. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of product: GRIGRI 2 belay device with assisted braking

Units: About 18,000 in the U.S. and about 2,000 in Canada

Importer: Petzl America Inc., of Clearfield, Utah

Manufacturer: Petzl SAS, of Crolles, France

Hazard: Excessive force on the handle can cause it to become stuck in the open position. When stuck open, the assisted braking function is disabled, posing a fall hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Seven devices worldwide, including one in the U.S., were returned after the users noticed that the handle could become stuck in the open position. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The GRIGRI 2 belay device is used by rock climbers to control the climber's safety rope during a fall or while being lowered on the rope. The first five digits of the serial numbers of devices affected by this recall range from 10326 to 11136. The serial number is engraved on the body of the product underneath and protected by the folded handle. The belay devices are 4 inches in length and 2 inches in width, and come in grey, blue, and orange colors.

Sold at: Sports and recreation stores in the U.S. and Canada from February 2011 to June 2011 for about $95.

Manufactured in: France

Remedy: Consumers should stop use of the affected GRIGRI 2s immediately, and contact Petzl America for a replacement.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov.

CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products—such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals—contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or resell this or any other recalled product.