Incident Alert Below

#SA 11-00010

Date Effective: 10/25/11

Company Involved:  

3M Occupational Health & Environmental Safety – “G” Series Retractable Lanyard Faulty Design

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/PPESafetySolutions/

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Confirming Source –

Name --- Ray Mann – 3M Occupational Health & Environmental Safety

Position/ Role -- Manager Technical Services, Fall Protection

Contact Info/ Phone/ email – 704.743.2406 / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

INCIDENT DETAILS/ LEARNING:  It has been determined that the 3M “G” series fall protection devices which 1st went into production in February of 2011 have a design flaw that has been found to cause these devices to not properly achieve lock up during the user pre-inspection pull test on the webbing lifeline (as required by the User Instructions and OSHA regulations).  Although not stated in the recall, this lack of performance in the pre-use test mode signals the potential that the devices might not achieve lock up under operational conditions.  As a result, 3M is recalling ALL of the “G” Series retractable lanyard devices (@ 5,300) total.  This defect was detected by a user of the equipment during the pre-use equipment inspection. The recall notification was first issued on September 20, 2011; however, it was issued to the distributors of this equipment thus slowing the final communication.  Additionally, ConocoPhillips often uses this equipment as provided by their onsite confined space entry (“hole watch”) contractors.  Also, these items were sold initially only in the U.S. and Canada; however, after being sold to distribution or to contractors, they may have been sold or taken for use on project sites outside North America.  As a result, 3M is recalling ALL of the “G” Series retractable lanyard devices (@ 5,300) total.

ACTIONS to be taken by XXXXXXXXXXXX Personnel:  

While documentation, and a records search by XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX main providers of safety equipment do not clearly indicate any of these devices were purchased by XXXXXXXXXXXXX facilities, all facilities and operations should be aware of this and:

1)While documentation, and a records search by XXXXXXXXXXmain providers of safety equipment do not clearly indicate any of these devices were purchased by XXXXXXXXXXX facilities, all facilities and operations should be aware of this and:
a.Immediately STOP USE of these devices
b.Quarantine and control the devices to prevent use
c.Return all units directly to 3M using the G-Series Unit Return Shipment Form in the “pdf” document under “Original External Alert Document” below. This form includes the 3M shipping address and 3M UPS GROUND shipping account number.

2)Special attention should be given to "contractor provided" safety equipment as this particular device is reportedly most often provided in connection with our “hole watch”/ confined space monitoring contractors.

3)Personnel should be alert to ALL fall protection equipment as far as its condition prior to use.  This incident highlights the importance of Pre-Use Inspections for not only all safety equipment, but all equipment.  Share with other sites and contractors this need to inspect all safety devices prior to use, particularly fall protection devices.

CONTACTS:

ALERT Posting Knowledge Sharing Site: (right side of page under Supplier Alerts)

http://sptupks.XXXXXXXXXXXXX.net/sites/qst/WebPage/SQ.aspx

Action Taken: Manufacturer Self Reported through Model Recall

Initiating Agency/ Group: 3M

Initial ConocoPhillips Communication Contact: Mickey Carter

Form of Initial Contact: Email from XXXXXXXXXXXX through XXXXXXXXXXXX

Date of Initial Contact: October 25, 2011

IF NOT received directly from the issuing agency/ body or IF NOT issued by ConocoPhillips, person with whom this was validated/ confirmed:

Name --- Ray Mann – 3M Occupational Health & Environmental Safety__

Position/ Role -- Manager Technical Services, Fall Protection

Contact Info/ Phone/ email – 704.743.2406 / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Date Confirmed – 10/25/11

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Validation by:  Supplier Quality Lead