Petzl ABSORBICA - Manual (Page 3)

3 ABSORBICA L57500 revision D (060906)
(EN) ENGLISH
Limitations on use
Energy absorber used as a component of a personal fall arrest
system, commonly used in conjunction with a lanyard to connect a
safety harness to an anchor. It is designed to dissipate the energy
developed in a fall of 4 m maximum height and to limit the force on
the user’s body to a maximum of 6 kN.
This product is personal protective equipment (one person only) in
accordance with the 89/686/CEE PPE directive.
This product must not be loaded beyond its strength rating, nor be
used for any purpose other than that for which it is designed.
Only the techniques shown in the diagrams that are not crossed out
and/or do not display a skull and crossbones symbol are authorized.
Check our Web site www.petzl.com regularly to find the latest
versions of these documents.
Contact PETZL if you have any doubt or difficulty understanding these
documents.
WARNING
Activities involving the use of this equipment are inherently
dangerous.
You are responsible for your own actions and decisions.
Before using this equipment, you must:
- Read and understand all instructions for use.
- Get specific training in its proper use.
- Become acquainted with its capabilities and limitations.
- Understand and accept the risks involved.
Failure to heed any of these warnings may result in severe injury
or death.
Responsibility
WARNING: specific training is essential before use.
This product must only be used by competent and responsible
persons, or those placed under the direct and visual control of a
competent and responsible person.
Gaining an adequate apprenticeship in appropriate techniques and
methods of protection is your own responsibility.
You personally assume all risks and responsibilities for all damage,
injury or death which may occur during or following incorrect use of
our products in any manner whatsoever. If you are not able, or not in
a position to assume this responsibility or to take this risk, do not use
this equipment.
Nomenclature of parts
(1) Webbing, (2) Protective pouch, (3) Retainer, (4) Attachment
points, (5) STRING XL.
Principal materials: nylon and polyester.
Inspection, points to verify
Before each use
The equipment must not be re-used after a fall that causes any
damage or tearing of the energy absorber.
Open the pouch, take out the absorber webbing which must be
correctly arranged and held together by the retainer. The plastic
retainer must not be cut, damaged or removed.
Visually inspect the straps (especially the ends) and the safety
stitching. Look for cuts in the webbing, wear and damage due to use,
to heat, and to contact with chemical products, etc... Attention, the
absorber webbing must not be torn.
Put the absorber webbing into its pouch, only the attachment point
covered by black tubular webbing should be outside the pouch. Be
sure there are no loops of webbing outside the pouch that can be
mistakenly clipped with a carabiner.
Inspect the connectors as indicated in their Instructions for use.
During each use
It is important to regularly inspect the condition of the product. Check
its connections with the other equipment in the system and make
sure that the various pieces of equipment in the system are correctly
positioned with respect to each other.
Consult the details of the inspection procedure to be carried out for
each item of PPE on the Web at www.petzl.com/ppe or on the PETZL
PPE CD-ROM.
Contact PETZL if there is any doubt about the condition of this
product.
Retire the equipment if it shows any sign of reduced strength or
impaired function.
Compatibility
The energy absorber (component of a personal fall arrest system)
must be used in conjunction with EN 795 anchors, EN 362 locking
carabiners, EN 354 lanyards, EN 361 fall arrest harnesses, EN354
lanyards.
An incompatible connection can cause accidental disconnection,
breakage, or affect the safety function of another piece of equipment.
Contact Petzl if you are uncertain about the compatibility of your
equipment.
How to use this equipment
Diagram 1. Preparation
1A. Put the STRING onto the attachment points covered by black
tubular webbing. The STRING allows the carabiner to be held in the
major axis position (the strongest) and protects the end of the lanyard
from wear. Do not use an ABSORBICA without the STRING.
1B. Clip a locking carabiner (auto locking preferred) through each
attachment point and the STRING.
Diagram 2. Installation on the harness
Make sure the energy absorber is correctly attached to one of the fall
arrest attachment points on the harness (sternal or dorsal point only).
Diagram 3. OBLIGATIONS
- The total length of the ensemble «energy absorber + lanyard +
connectors» must not exceed 2 meters.
- The fall length must not exceed 4 m. Take care to minimize the
potential for falls and the height of any potential fall.
- Never connect the lanyard directly (sliding carabiner) to a structure
(cable, bar, etc.) having a slope greater than 15°.
WARNING
- Your harness must be adjusted to fit snugly to reduce the risk of
injury in case of a fall.
- Carabiners must always be used with the gate closed and locked.
Systematically verify the gate is closed by pressing it with your hand.
- Avoid contact with sharp or abrasive surfaces and objects.
Anchors
Work at height
The anchor point of the system should preferably be located above
the user’s position and must conform to the requirements of the
EN 795 standard, in particular the minimum strength of the anchor
must be 10 kN.
Diagram 4. Clearance (amount of clear free fall space
between the anchor and the ground) = 6.10 m
The clearance below the user must be sufficient to prevent the user
from striking any obstacle in case of a fall. For information on how to
calculate clearance, see Diagram.
General information
Lifetime
The potential lifetime of Petzl products is as follows: up to 10 years
from the date of manufacture for plastic and textile products,
indefinite for metallic products.
The actual lifetime of a product ends when it meets one of the
retirement critera listed below (see “When to retire your equipment”),
or when in its system use it is judged obsolete.
The actual lifetime is influenced by a variety of factors such as: the
intensity, frequency, and environment of use, the competence of the
user, how well the product is stored and maintained, etc.
ATTENTION, in extreme cases, the lifetime of the product can be
reduced to one single use through exposure to for example any of
the following: chemicals, extreme temperatures, sharp edges, major
fall or load, etc.
Inspect equipment periodically for damage and/or
deterioration.
In addition to the inspection before and during use, a periodic
in-depth inspection must be carried out by a competent inspector
at least once every 12 months. This inspection must be performed
at least once every 12 months. The frequency of the in-depth
inspection must be governed by the type and the intensity of use. To
keep better track of your equipment, it is preferable to assign each
piece of equipment to a unique user so that he will know its history.
The results of inspections should be documented in an «inspection
record». This document must allow recording of the following
details: type of equipment, model, name and contact information
of the manufacturer or distributor, means of identification (serial or
individual number), year of manufacture, date of purchase, date of
first use, name of user, all other pertinent information for example
maintenance and frequency of use, the history of periodic inspections
(date / comments and noted problems / name and signature of the
competent person who performed the inspection / anticipated date of
next inspection). See example of detailed inspection record and other
informational tools available at www.petzl.com/ppe
When to retire your equipment
Immediately retire any equipment if:
- it fails to pass inspection (inspection before and during use and the
periodic in-depth inspection),
- it has been subjected to a major fall or load,
- you do not know its full usage history,
- it is at least 10 years old and made of plastics or textiles,
- you have any doubt as to its integrity.
Destroy retired equipment to prevent further use.
Product obsolescence
There are many reasons why a product may be judged obsolete
and thus retired before the end of its actual lifetime. Examples
include: changes in applicable standards, regulations, or legislation;
development of new techniques, incompatibility with other
equipment, etc.
Modifications, repairs
Any modification, addition to, or repair of the equipment other than
that authorized by Petzl is prohibited: due to the risk of reducing the
effectiveness of the equipment.
Precautions
- Users must be medically fit for activities at height. WARNING, inert
suspension in a harness can result in serious injury or death.
- You must have a rescue plan and the means to rapidly implement
it in case of difficulties encountered while using this equipment. This
implies an adequate training in the necessary rescue techniques.
- You must check to ensure that the product markings remain legible
during the entire lifetime of the product.
- You must verify the suitability of this equipment for use in your
application with regard to applicable governmental regulations and
other standards on occupational safety.
- The instructions for use for each item of equipment used in
conjunction with this product must be respected.
- The instructions for use must be provided to users of this
equipment. If the equipment is re-sold outside the original country
of destination the reseller shall provide these instructions in the
language of the country in which the product is to be used.
Guarantee
This product is guaranteed for 3 years against any faults in materials
or manufacture. Exclusions from the guarantee: normal wear and
tear, oxidation, modifications or alterations, incorrect storage, poor
maintenance, damage due to accidents, to negligence, or to improper
or incorrect usage.
PETZL is not responsible for the consequences, direct, indirect or
accidental, or any other type of damage befalling or resulting from the
use of its products