People have been killed or seriously injured when using vehicle recovery straps that have broken or when components on vehicles have ripped off and struck the person with great force

Consumers using motor vehicle recovery straps should:

• always read and obey the product’s instructions and warnings.
• ensure the strap’s stated breaking strength is appropriate for the gross vehicle mass (GVM), including load weight, of the individual vehicle being recovered (the minimum breaking strength of the strap should be between two and three times the vehicle’s GVM).
• ensure the strap is suited to the GVM rating of the lighter vehicle in the recovery
• never attach the strap to a standard tow-bar, tow-ball or standard vehicle tie-down point (they are not designed for this purpose and may result in the strap or a vehicle component detaching and striking a person).
• only attach a strap to a suitable rated vehicle recovery point or device
• ensure the strap is undamaged and in a usable condition
• drape something like a heavy bag or blanket over the strap during use to reduce any unintentional rebound of the strap.
• ensure that any people outside the vehicles stand far enough from the vehicles – at least 1.5 times the non-stretched length of the strap. They must never stand in the line of recovery.
• do not use the strap for lifting or conventional towing

For more information visit http://www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au/motor-vehicle-recovery-straps-for-consumers.htm

There are currently three recalls for recovery straps sold in Queensland that do not meet the Queensland mandatory labelling standard for recovery straps. For more information visit:

Anaconda Group Pty Ltd – https://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/986902

Australian Trading Services Pty Ltd (ATS) – https://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/987018

Lion (Australia) Consolidated P/L – https://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/972394

 
Republished from http://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/989054