PRODUCT RECALL / STOP USE NOTICE
3M™ Series Self Retracting Lanyards
AFFECTED MODELS IDENTIFIED ON PAGE 2
Manufacture Date Range on Products November 01, 2011 to June 25, 2012

June 29, 2012

Dear 3M Customer:

3M is recalling the THOR family of Self-Retracting Lanyards units manufactured by IKAR from November 01, 2011 to June 25, 2012 (M-, RLD- and 205G- Series) as result of concerns with the brake pad material found in this family of retractable lanyards.

3M was recently informed by IKAR GmbH, that their supplier of the brake pad material used in the THOR family of 3M Self-Retracting Lanyards had experienced a process quality issue in the manufacture of the brake pads that could potentially affect the performance of those units. Specifically, the affected units may fail to properly arrest a fall, and ultimately, in a small number of instances, lead to the total disengagement of the lifeline assembly from the drum and housing assembly.

IKAR, in conjunction with the supplier of the brake pad, has determined that a relatively small number of defective brake pads may have been received by IKAR and used in cabled and web self-retracting lanyard units manufactured by IKAR from November 01, 2011 to June 25, 2012. See the list of affected product numbers on page 2. 

Additionally, IKAR has advised 3M that this brake pad material is also present in competitive products that IKAR produces and distributes globally. IKAR has confirmed notification of all appropriate distributors that may have purchased equipment demonstrating this potential issue.  Given the extreme applications requiring the use of this equipment, and the high expectations that 3M has for the performance of these products, 3M and IKAR have concluded that an involuntary recall is required to recover potentially affected product from the field.

Users of the affected models listed in the table should stop using the product immediately.  We request that the following steps be implemented by your company:

1. Immediately stop use and quarantine all inventory of affected products identified on page 2 of this document.
2. Return all units directly to the 3M Fall Protection Product Distributor where you purchased the affected units.

Upon distributor confirmation to 3M that the units returned are affected by this notice, 3M will priority ship a new replacement unit of equal or greater value at no charge. 3M remains committed to providing quality products and services to our customers. We apologize for any inconvenience that this situation may cause you.

Thank you for your continued support and use of 3M products and services.

Click Here (pdf) to download the 3M Letter.