Founded by the cave explorer Fernand Petzl in the mid-1970s, Petzl is a manufacturer of climbing & caving gear, work-at-height, rope access and rescue equipment based in Crolles, France. One of Petzl’s key products in the tower industry is the ABSORBICA®-Y TIE-BACK double leg fall arrest lanyard. In June, Petzl will be launching a new version with a redesigned, smaller shock pack and improved MGO connectors.
The new design of the ABSORBICA®-Y’s shock absorber is very compact and fits in the palm of a hand. The goal is to avoid impeding movement of a climber when they’re doing work on the tower with a lanyard that is lightweight and very strong. If a fall occurs, the lanyard’s shock pack with progressive tearing is designed to handle both lightweight and heavyweight users.
“Our new energy absorber is made with progressive tearing technology that reduces the G forces on lightweight users, while maintaining compliant maximum impact forces on heavier users,” said Michel Goulet, Business Development Manager at Petzl America.
Designed to Meet Canadian Standards
The lanyard continues to meet the ANSI Z359.13 standard, however, it will also meet the Canadian, CSA Z259.11 standard for climbers weighing from 165 lbs. to 310 lbs. CSA sets 8 Gs as the maximum deceleration rate for lighter users. “The CSA standard has stringent testing procedures, pre-conditioning lanyards that have been submerged in water and frozen overnight before certain tests are conducted” Goulet said.
Petzl also improved the way the energy absorber is designed. Now, when the energy absorber is deployed it will not be impeded by having one of the legs connected to a non-releasable point on the harness. This is a great improvement should the user make that mistake. However, Petzl will continue to promote the use of releasable connector holdings when parking double lanyards on the harness.” Goulet said.
“Our large connectors on the end of the lanyard legs have also been redesigned with narrower noses at their opening for ease of connecting them to releasable connector holders on the harness,” Goulet explained.
Click on the video above for an overview of the ABSORBICA®-Y
Proven Excellence in the Field
Before the redesign, the ABSORBICA®-Y was already a favorite of tower climbers. The ABSORBICA®-Y ‘s double lanyard allows the climber to progress on vertical structures and horizontal lifelines and by-past intermediate anchor points while remaining 100 percent connected. Single leg lanyards, on the other hand, are designed for use in a MEWP or when users are more stationary near fall zones.
The ABSORBICA®-Y ‘s Tie-Back rings provide the capability to anchor the legs around large structures while reducing the risk of cross-loading the connectors. They also provide a hauling and lowering connection point that can easily be reached by a rescuer in an emergency situation.
The lanyard is less bulky and much lighter than other products on the market, according to Goulet, but it is very strong thanks to the use of high- modulus polyethylene in its construction. It excelled in testing for strength and energy absorption performed recently by the NATE Safety Equipment Manufacturing Committee.
The lightweight design of ABSORBICA®-Y reduces fatigue for people who work at height either climbing towers or other structures all day, says Goulet. “Fatigue does become a factor on long, hot days and sometimes that might reduce safety on a jobsite,” he explained. “Making lightweight products is something we excel at.”
The ABSORBICA®-Y has always been known for being lightweight. With this latest redesign, Petzl has made it even smaller, while maintaining its strength and ability to limit the impact forces on a user in case of a fall.
For more information, email PETZL at professionalsales@petzl.com.
By J. Sharpe Smith, Inside Towers Technology Editor
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