Rock Climbing Gear Failure

Rock climbing is an inherently dangerous activity, where any operator error can result in serious injury or death. Safety Engineering Resources' personnel have extensive experience with rock climbing gear, and can determine if an accident was the result of premature gear failure. Most climbing gear manufacturers have strict quality control procedures that ensure the integrity of their products and the safety of the end user. There are times when climbing gear does fail catastrophically, and this can result in serious injury or death. Soft goods like webbing and harnesses are susceptible to environmental effects, aging, and damage from chemicals. These can weaken webbing and ropes to the point of failure. Failure of rock climbing protection may occur during hard leader falls. Although a design or material flaw could be the cause, climbing protection has limitations, and is highly dependant upon placement and direction of pull. Failure of carabiners and belay devices is not common, but can occur. We can determine if there is a design error or manufacturing flaw, or a material inconsistency. Our mechanical engineers will analyze the case and test the metal, using electron microscopy to determine composition and mode of failure.

Call us today to discuss your case with us. (479) 549-4860 / info@safetyengineeringresources.com