3M Fall Protection has learned of the possibility of a manufacturing defect in a dorsal d-ring utilized in ExoFit NEX™ harnesses manufactured between January 2016 and December 2018. Although there have been no reported incidents involving this condition, a dorsal d-ring with this defect will not support the load in a fall arrest event which could result in serious injury or death. Harnesses manufactured only within this date range require immediate inspection for lot number 09P1 stamped into a dorsal d-ring. We believe that only one harness was manufactured with a defective D-ring, but we urge inspection of all potentially affected harnesses out of an abundance of caution in the interests of worker safety.

To address the situation, 3M Fall Protection is launching a global Inspection Notice. As set out in the attached Notice, all ExoFit NEX™ harnesses manufactured between January 2016 and December 2018 require inspection prior to use.

Upon receipt of this Notice, immediately inspect your harness following the steps below:

Step 1: Locate the label pack on the harness to identify the manufacturing date. If the harness has a manufacturing date of 16/01 (2016, January) through the end of 18/12 (2018, December), continue to step 2. If the harness is not in this range, the unit is not impacted by this notice. If the harness is within this date range, continue to step 2.

Step 2: Locate the D-ring on the back of the harness to inspect for a stamped lot date of 09P1. If you find a D-ring with code 09P1 and the harness has a manufactured date within the affected date range, take the harness out of service immediately. If the D-ring is not stamped with code 09P1, you may continue using your harness.

Please note that both the manufactured date range (2016, January through 2018, December) on the harness label AND the lot number code 09P1 stamped on the D-ring must be present on the same harness for the harness to be considered suspect and removed from service. All other harness/d-ring combinations are acceptable for use.

Step 1 Manufacture Date on Harness Shown in Red
Circle – must be between 16/01 (2016, January) and
18/12 (2018, December)		 Step 2 Lot Code Stamp Location on
D-ring – lot code must be (09P1)

Affected Part Numbers:

70007925467, 70007925673, 70007925764, 70007925798, 70007926010, 70007926127, 70007926143, 70007926150,
70007926192, 70007926218, 70007926366, 70007928917, 70007929378, 70007929535, 70007930202, 70007930657,
70007930699, 70007930723, 70007933164, 70007933818, 70007933974, 70007934287, 70007934311, 70007934352,
70007934642, 70007934659, 70007935102, 70007935862, 70007937702, 70007938593, 70007940292, 70007942371,
70007943510, 70007943759, 70007943767, 70007947040, 70007948683, 70007949111, 70007949293, 70007951018,
70007951372, 70007951711, 70007954962, 70007958930, 70007960514, 70007960613, 70008286695, 70008286703,
70008286752, 70008286760, 70008286778, ATO10622390, ATO10622408, ATO10622416, ATO10622424, ATO10622556,
ATO10622564, ATO10622572, ATO10622580, ATO10643859, ATO10643867, ATO10643875, ATO10643883

If you find an affected harness, take the unit out of service immediately. You can contact us at 3M Customer Service at 1800 245 002 or at anzfallprotectionquality@mmm.com to return your harness and a replacement harness will be provided free of charge.

3M remains committed to providing quality products and services to our customers. We apologize for any inconvenience that this situation may cause you or your customers. We appreciate your continued support of 3M Fall Protection products and services.

FAQs:

1. Why are you issuing an Inspection Notice for ExoFit NEX Harnesses?

  1. 3M Fall Protection has learned of the possibility of a manufacturing defect in a dorsal dring utilized in ExoFit NEX™ harnesses manufactured between January 2016 and December 2018.
  2. Although there have been no reported incidents involving this condition, a dorsal d-ring with this defect will not support the load in a fall arrest event which could result in serious injury or death.
  3. Harnesses manufactured only within this date range require immediate inspection for lot number 09P1 stamped into a dorsal d-ring

2. How many units are affected?

We believe that only one harness was manufactured with a defective D-ring, but we urge inspection of all potentially affected harnesses out of an abundance of caution in the interests of worker safety.

3. What is wrong with the ExoFIT NEX Harnesses?

A dorsal d-ring with this defect will not support the load in a fall arrest event which could result in serious injury or death

4. How can I tell if my unit is affected?

ExoFit NEX™ harnesses manufactured between January 2016 and December 2018 require inspection.

5. What do I do if I have an ExoFit NEX Harness?

  1. Immediately inspect your harness following the steps within the notice.
  2. Step 1: Locate the label pack on the harness to identify the manufacturing date. If the harness has a manufacturing date of 16/01 (2016, January) through the end of 18/12 (2018, December), continue to step 2. If the harness is not in this range, the unit is not impacted by this notice. If the harness is within this date range, continue to step 2.
  3. Step 2: Locate the D-ring on the back of the harness to inspect for a stamped lot date of 09P1. If you find a D-ring with code 09P1 and the harness has a manufactured date within the affected date range, take the harness out of service immediately. If the D-ring is not stamped with code 09P1, you may continue using your harness.
  4. If you find an affected harness, take the unit out of service immediately. You can contact us at 3M Customer Service at anzfallprotectionquality@mmm.com to return your harness and a replacement harness will be provided free of charge.

6. What will happen if I continue to use the unit without inspection?

Although there have been no reported incidents involving this condition, a dorsal d-ring with this defect will not support the load in a fall arrest event which could result in serious injury or death.

7. I will incur some expense in replacing the Harnesses. Who will be paying for this expense?

  1. 3M will cover the costs associated with the shipment and replacement of the unit.
  2. Any unusual costs will be addressed on a case by a case basis. Please provide detail.

8. What is the manufacturing defect that you believe could exist?

A dorsal d-ring with this defect will not support the load in a fall arrest event which could result in serious injury or death.

9. My D-ring is stamped 09 but my manufacturing date is different than the affected range. Is the
harness affected?

  1. No. The harness is not considered suspect.
  2. Both the manufactured date range (2016, January through 2018, December) on the harness label AND the lot number code 09P1 stamped on the D-ring must be present on the same harness for the harness to be considered suspect and removed from service
  3. All other harness/d-ring combinations are acceptable for use.

10. What model numbers are impacted?

List of part numbers located within link on notice

Step 1 Manufacture Date on Harness Shown in Red
Circle – must be between 16/01 (2016, January) and
18/12 (2018, December)		 Step 2 Lot Code Stamp Location on
D-ring – lot code must be (09P1)