Every now an then, even the best manufacturers have issues with their products. We are usually notified by them or our suppliers and we also keep our ears to the ground for other brands that we don’t stock to keep in the loop and to help inform you. Below is a list of known issues, please note this is not a definitive list and if in doubt about a product you should contact the manufactures directly.
Petzl - Call for visual inspection of SIMBA and SWAN EASYFIT harnesses - 02/03/26
"Call for visual inspection of SIMBA CLIMBING/SIMBA PARK and SWAN EASYFIT STEEL/SWAN EASYFIT STAINLESS harnesses following the discovery, on one harness, of a missing rivet on the FAST LT PIN-LOCK buckle on the back of the harness.
A missing rivet on this buckle could cause it to open accidentally, presenting a risk of serious injury or death when using the harness.
Immediately stop all use and/or sales of these harnesses and carry out the visual inspection described below.
~ Petzl
Take Action
Visit Petzl's website
Here you can find Instructions and any FAQ’s about the recall.
Petzl - ASTRO & CANYON GUIDE harness safety alert: Replacement of the ventral D-ring - 23/02/26
"User feedback alerted us to premature wear of the screws on the gated ventral attachment point on ASTRO rope access harnesses manufactured before October 2023 (harnesses that were affected by our call for inspection of ASTRO and CANYON GUIDE harnesses in 2023).
Our assessment found that these harnesses may present a non-conformity which cannot be detected by the test requested in our previous call for inspection. This non-conformity, combined with a specific use involving high lateral stress on the attachment point, leads to premature wear of the screws.
This wear can cause the ventral D-ring’s pin to release, and the attachment point to open, which could lead to serious injury or death.
We ask that you replace the metal D-ring and the screws on the gated ventral attachment point (using the replacement kit made available to you)."
~ Petzl
Take Action
Visit Petzl's website
Here you can find Instructions and any FAQ’s about the recall.
Petzl - NOMIC (U021AA00) and ERGONOMIC (U022AA00) ice axes - 23/02/26
Recall of certain batches of NOMIC (U021AA00) and ERGONOMIC (U022AA00) ice axes due to a risk of handle failure that could cause the climber to fall.
Immediately stop using any ice axes affected by this recall and contact our after-sales service for a replacement shaft.
Take Action
Visit Petzl's website
Here you can find Returns Instructions and any FAQ’s about the recall.
Wild Country - Superlight Rocks - 23/02/23
Recall notice to all owners and retailers of Wild Country Superlight Nos 1-6
When the single cable Superlight Rocks are exposed to conditions such as salt water or a humid climate with a salty atmosphere (e.g. any use on the coastal cliffs) for an extended period of time, corrosion can occur inside the ferrule. This means that the breaking strength of the chocks is significantly reduced and therefore will become very dangerous for climbers.
Take Action
Visit Wild Country's website
https://www.wildcountry.com/en-gb/product-recall
Here you can find Returns Instructions and any FAQ’s about the recall.
Rock Exotica - Omni-Pulleys 1.1 - 22/12/22
Recall notice for Omni 1.1 Pulleys & variants made from February 2020 through October 2022
Take Action
Download
Rock Exotica - Omni Recall Notice.pdf
Visit Rock Exotica's website
https://www.rockexotica.com/omni-recall
Return Your Product
Return your Omni Block 1.1″ using the UK returns form
For Rope Rescue & Work at Height customers, contact: sales@r3sargear.com (www.r3sargear.com)
For Arborist customers, contact: sales@rockexotica.co.uk (www.gustharts.com)
Further Information
The button assembly on a limited number of 1.1” Omni Swivel Pulleys and associated variants may not be secure. If the button comes out the side plate can open, allowing the rope to fall out which can result in serious injury or death. It was discovered that a small number of pulleys manufactured from February 2020 through October 2022 may not have had adequate thread locker or sealant, allowing the set screw to back out. Under normal circumstances, either the thread lock or sealant is adequate to secure the button and prevent this issue.
Rock Exotica is issuing a recall for Omni Block 1.1” style pulleys, manufactured from February 2020 through October 2022. These pulleys must be returned to us for inspection / repair.
Rock Exotica is also issuing an inspection notice for all Omni Block style pulleys made from 2018 through October 2022. Pulleys can be inspected by the user / competent person, or if you are not comfortable doing the inspection, you can return it to us for inspection. Inspection criteria is detailed at the end of the document.
Additionally, as a reminder, all products should be inspected before and after each use. For Omni pulleys, the buttons and set screws should be a part of this inspection, along with checking for cracks / deformation / corrosion, the action of the side plate, sheave and swivel eye, bolts, and general condition. Accordingly, we are including supplementary information on checking the button set screws for earlier Omnis made before 2018.
DMM - Compact Swivel Units - 2/11/22
Recall recall / Hazard notice
2nd November 2022 We have been made aware of a near-miss incident involving the failure of a DMM Director connector (A647BS) that parted at the swivel assembly. The user was unhurt.
Our investigation has identified a product fault that, under certain circumstances, may allow the swivel assembly to unscrew and subsequently part.
The same swivel assembly is used in the following products, and as such we are issuing a recall for all items that share this assembly.
Take Action
Download
DMM Compact Swivel Units - Recall Notice.pdf
Visit DMM's Website
Return Your Product
Return your affected swivels to DMM using their Recall Form
Petzl - Pirana Descender Recall - 25/01/2022
Recall recall / Hazard notice
Decision to recall
New feedback from the field since our July 2021 safety alert (modification to the Instructions for Use) led to our decision to recall the affected PIRANA. Recall of PIRANA descenders (D005AA00 and D005AA01) due to a drowning risk if the rope accidentally gets blocked in the blocking slot. Immediately stop using the descenders affected by this recall.
Affected products:
- PIRANA descenders D005AA00 and D005AA01 (see models in photo).
- Serial numbers: between 19 F 0000000 000 and 22 A 9999999 999.
- Sold from July 2019 to January 2022.
Take Action
Visit Petzl's Website
Return Your Product
If you have a PIRANA that is affected by this recall, stop using it immediately and return it to Petzl via their contact form. You will be offered a refund. Petzl will pay for the return shipping costs.
Risk Identified
In certain situations, where the user lets the rope slide freely through the PIRANA to intentionally drop into the water, the rope runs quickly through the descender and can accidentally get blocked in the PIRANA's blocking slot. The user is then stuck, and may not be able to remove the rope from this position. This situation can be dangerous, with a drowning risk, especially if the user is stuck under a waterfall or in a pool of water.