General Information - Petzl ABSORBICA-Y MGO Instructions For Use Manual

(EN) ENGLISH
Energy absorber with integrated lanyard - EN 355 2002
Field of application
Energy absorber with integrated lanyard used as a component of a personal
fall arrest system, commonly used to connect a safety harness to a fixed
anchor. It is designed to dissipate the energy developed in a fall of 2.30 m
maximum height and to limit the force on the user's body to a maximum of
6 kN. These absorbers are not designed to be used in via ferrata.
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) Tearing absorber webbing, (2) Protective pouch, (3) Retainer,
(4) Integrated lanyard, (5) Attachment point, (6) STRING XL, (7) MGO
carabiner.
Principal materials: nylon and polyester, aluminum alloy.
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 ABSORBICA-Y-MGO (component of a personal fall arrest system) must
be used in conjunction with EN 795 anchors, EN 362 locking carabiners,
EN 361 fall arrest harnesses.
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.
3
L59MGO_ABSORBICA_Y MGO L595030C (121010)
Instructions for use
Diagram 1. Preparation
1A. Put the STRING onto the attachment point 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 your energy absorber without the STRING.
1B. Clip a locking carabiner (auto locking preferred) through the attachment
point and the STRING.
Diagram 2. Installation
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 with integrated
lanyard + connectors» must not exceed 1.15 meters.
- The fall length must not exceed 2.30 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° because the fall length
may then exceed 2.30 m.
- ABSORBICA-Y-MGO: the absorber must always be free to deploy. Do
not constrain the absorber (e.g. by clipping an unused end to a harness
equipment loop or attachment point).
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 that the gate is securely locked 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 = 4.35 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 4.

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.
The actual lifetime of a product ends when it meets one of the retirement
criteria 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.
WARNING, 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. 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, and to uses for which this product
was not designed.
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.