Buckinghamb MANUFACTURING CO., INC

BuckinghamB MANUFACTURING CO., INC.

1-11 Travis Ave. PO Box 1690 Equipment For People Binghamton, NY 13902 Working In High Locations

10/26/2015

Dear Valued Customer:

This letter is to address a recent Hazard Notice received from DMM regarding carabiners they manufacture and that are on certain Buckingham products or sold as stand-alone. The Hazard Notice indicates a potential for carabiner gates to stick/remain open on identified models. The interaction between the internal coil spring (which gives the gate it’s closing action) and the spring pusher (the component that holds the spring against the carabiner body) may cause the spring pusher to displace, potentially preventing the gate from closing or the mechanism from locking completely.

The discovery of this issue led Buckingham to create a list of products in which the DMM carabiner is used, as well as those model numbers for stand-alone carabiners you may have purchased (see back of this page for list of product and model numbers). Additionally attached, is a supplemental notice to depict those carabiners included in the attached ‘DMM Hazard Notice’ that we believe to be either affixed to a Buckingham product or sold individually.

The color of the gates Buckingham has utilized may vary and be any color. Although we have an extensive receipt, in-process, and final inspection processes, it is possible that one, or more, of these carabiners may have or develop the noted issue. Please refer to the attached ‘DMM Product Hazard Notice’ dated September 14th 2015 regarding the required inspection procedure of these carabiners. This document details all their products that are affected by the Hazard Notice and contains instructions to identify whether or not an affected product should be returned. Once inspection is completed per the DMM instructions, and you believe that you have a defective or missing “gate pusher”, please contact Buckingham Mfg. Co. Inc. Customer Service at (800) 937-2825 to obtain a Returned Goods Authorization number for returning the product to us for replacement at no charge.

As with any climbing/safety equipment, failure to follow supplemental issued notices or instructions packaged with your product may result in serious injury or death. We apologize for any inconvenience this issue may cause you and your company and assure you that Buckingham will replace those carabiners returned as quickly as possible. As a world leader in fall protection equipment, Buckingham remains committed to providing its customers with a quality product that allows them to carry out their profession in a safe manner.

Sincerely, Buckingham Mfg. Co., Inc.

TEL. 607-773-2400 FAX: 607-773-2425 Website: www.buckinghammfg.com E-mail: [email protected] “ISO 9001 Certified” Buckingham Manufacturing Carabiners Used By Buckingham Subject to DMM Hazard Notice

DMM Part# Serial# Important Note: There is the potential for the gate to stick open if the inspection procedure is not followed.

DMM Part#: A907ANSIBUCK Buckingham Part #: 5555S3 or 5005SA Triple Action Gate

Serial# DMM Part# Serial# DMM Part# DMM Part#: A907ANSI DMM Part#: A907CBANSI Buckingham Part #: 5555S3 or 5005SA Buckingham Part #: 5555S3 or 5005SA Triple Action Gate Triple Action Gate Captive Bar

Buckingham Manufacturing Company, Inc. Tel: (607) 773-2400 1-11 Travis Ave Fax: (607) 773-2425 PO Box 1690 www.buckinghammfg.com Binghamton NY, 13904 [email protected] Date: 10/9/15 Buckingham Manufacturing Carabiners Used By Buckingham Subject to DMM Hazard Notice

Serial# DMM Part# Serial# DMM Part# DMM Part#: A903ANSI DMM Part#: A337ANSI Buckingham Part #: 5555S2 Buckingham Part #: 5555S4 Double Action Gate Triple Action Gate

DMM Part# Serial# DMM Part# Serial# DMM Part#: A917ANSI DMM Part#: A913ANSI Buckingham Part #: 5005SAE Double Action Gate Triple Action Gate

Buckingham Manufacturing Company, Inc. Tel: (607) 773-2400 1-11 Travis Ave Fax: (607) 773-2425 PO Box 1690 www.buckinghammfg.com Binghamton NY, 13904 [email protected] Date: 10/9/15 DMM Product Hazard Notice 14th September 2015 For the Attention of Pensafe Customers

DMM are issuing a hazard alert requesting user inspection of their carabiners. This document details the products that are affected by the hazard alert and contains instructions to identify whether or not an affected product should be returned to DMM. In a small percentage of carabiners the interaction between the internal coil spring (which gives the gate its closing action) and the gate pusher (the component that holds the spring against the carabiner body) may cause the gate pusher to displace, potentially preventing the gate from closing or the mechanism from locking completely. This hazard alert encompasses only the carabiner models in the table below. All colours and all gate types are potentially affected by the dysfunction. The products and codes in yellow boxes are distributed via our North American partner, Pensafe:

Product identification (The product idetification numbers can be found on the spine of the carabiner): Product code - The letter and first 2 numbers of the product code Serial number - Identifies the date and identify the model. order of production.

A33# Ultra D A36# Aero HMS A82# Zodiac A84# Klettersteig A872 Belay Master A332 - Ultra D SG A843A - Klett’ KL ANSI A333A - Ultra D KL ANSI A844 - Klett’ DL A337 - Ultra D LS A847A Klett’ LS ANSI A337A - Ultra D LS ANSI

A89# Boa 25kN A90# Boa 30kN A91# Captive Eye A98K# Sidewinder C41# 10mm Steel A903A - Boa 30kN KL ANSI A913A - Captive Eye KL ANSI A9831A - Sidewinder KL Offset D A904 - Boa 30kN DL A917A - Captive Eye LS ANSI A9835SR - Sidewinder A907A - Boa 30kN LS A9871A- Sidewinder LS ANSI

C45# 10mm Steel Oval C81# 12mm Steel Offset D C84# 12mm Steel C85# 12mm Steel Boa C96# Steel Captive Eye C812 - Offset D SG Klettersteig C813 - Offset D KL C843 - Klett’ KL C813A - Offset D KL ANSI C847 - Klett’ LS C817A - Offset D LS ANSI C847A - Klett’ LS ANSI

With the following serial numbers (these run sequentially): 2014 Production - 14138xxxxX to 14365xxxxX 2015 Production - 15001xxxxX to 15254xxxxX The serial number can be found on the spine of the carabiner. If your carabiners meet the above criteria please carry out the user inspection as detailed on the next page.

14TH SEPTEMBER 2015 - PENSAFE WWW.DMMWALES.COM PAGE 1 Gate Pusher User Inspection

Please use the following information to identify the type of gate pusher that is installed in your carabiner and subsequently whether or not your carabiner is affected.

Please carry out the following inspection of the gate pusher: On some carabiner The pusher is located models the pusher can inside the gate of the be seen through the carabiner. It can be recess in the front of seen in the recess at the gate, when the the base of the gate. gate is open. Visually inspect the gate pusher for the ‘moulding line’. Look carefully at the gate pusher in your carabiner, it may be necessary to open the gate, a good light source is essential. Angling the carabiner in the light will help bring the moulding line into relief. The moulding line is visible from both sides of the gate. MOULDING LINE = OK NO MOULDING LINE = RETURN TO DMM

OK, CONTINUE USE RETURN TO DMM

no dysfunction risk of dysfunction - DO NOT USE Do not return to DMM, continue use. Immediately retire from service, quarantine and await further instructions from DMM.

OK, CONTINUE USE Certain specialist carabiners utilise a stainless steel spring pusher. This is silver/grey in colour.

If you have any doubt about the results of your user inspection, please return to DMM for inspection according to the upcoming returns process.

For further details, please contact: PenSafe Inc Telephone: 905-643-7188 1175 Barton St. Toll Free (North America): 866-212-2211 Stoney Creek, Ontario Fax: 905-643-5088 Canada L8E 5H1 E-mail: [email protected]

14TH SEPTEMBER 2015 - PENSAFE WWW.DMMWALES.COM PAGE 2