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Three-way karabiners are still the best
form of rope-to-harness connector for tree
surgery and arboriculture but improvements
are needed, say researchers at the Health
and Safety Laboratory.
The findings "Karabiner Safety in
the Arboriculture Industry" are published
today and, if adopted by practitioners,
trainers and manufacturers, will help prevent
accidents and enable climbers to work with
more confidence.
Main Findings:
- In treework, three-way karabiners are
still the best form of connector between
harness and rope equipment.
- Karabiners need to be carefully maintained
and lubricated, and replaced more often.
- Improvements are needed to the way
karabiners are used - in particular the
attachment of ropes and prussik loops.
- Manufacturers need to improve the design
to ensure secure closing of the karabiner
and to allow more effective maintenance.
The research was triggered by a serious
accident at a college in August 2001. A
climber became detached from his rope system
when the karabiner opened. HSE has also
had reports of karabiners not closing properly,
for example through wear or because of tree
debris. Some karabiners do not close reliably
even when new. HSE has taken-up this problem
with the manufacturers.
Climbers Should Make Sure They
Carefully:
- Check the karabiner locking action before
climbing.
- Check the gate has closed fully after
each opening.
- Follow manufacturers' instructions
for use and maintenance.
- Use recommended techniques for attaching
ropes to the karabiner - as described
in HSE Guidance leaflet AFAG 401.
- Avoid circumstances where rope, strops,
tree, etc., may exert force on the gate
mechanism. · Remove karabiners
from service if they fail to close properly
every time.
- Make sure karabiners are thoroughly
examined every six months, as required
by LOLER (see below).
Notes for Editors:
- The report, Karabiner Safety in the
Arboriculture Industry, is available on
the HSE web site at: www.hse.gov.uk/research/hsl/engineer.htm
- The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment
Regulations (LOLER) 1998 apply to tree
work, and HSE's guidance to the arboricultural
industry is given in Agricultural Information
Sheet 30 LOLER: How the Regulations apply
to arboriculture.
- HSE Leaflet, AFAG 401 www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/afag401.pdf
Tree-climbing operations, Copies are available
from HSE Books PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk,
CO10 2WA, tel: 01787-881165 or fax: 01787-313995.
Priced publications are also available from
good booksellers.
Public Enquiries: Call HSE's InfoLine,
tel: 08701 545500, or write to: HSE Information
Services, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly
CF83 3GG.
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