Recovery / Snatch Strap standards have been updated by the ACCC as of the December 1, 2017. Considering how lax regulation and quality has been over the past few years, the addition of the new regulations are a welcome change to the industry.
An updated ‘Consumer Goods (Motor Vehicle Recovery Straps) Safety Standard 2017’ has been launched by the Federal Minister for Small Business, Michael McCormack, as at November 30, 2017.
Essentially the requirements now include a warning label to be permanently attached to all straps used in recovery of vehicles, including the following information:
- The name or logo of its Australian manufacturer, importer or distributor.
- its batch code or serial number
- minimum breaking strength, in metric units
- a recommendation that the minimum breaking strength should be between 2-3 times the vehicle’s GVM, and
- advice that the strap must be suited to the GVM of the lighter of the two vehicles in the recovery.
There must also be marking on the packaging of the strap displaying:
- Brand or logo
- name and contact details of it’s Australian manufacturer, importer, or distributor
- minimum breaking strength, in metric units, and
- a recommendation that the minimum breaking strength should be between 2-3 times the vehicle’s GVM,
There must also be instructions within the packaging stating instructions on use, and maintaining the strap. This will include:
- the warning pictured above : Information to be permanently fixed to the strap
- persons intending to use the strap should consider completing a nationally recognised four wheel drive training course or contact a four wheel drive club for comprehensive advice on the proper selection and use of the strap
- the strap must not be used for lifting or conventional towing
- persons intending to use the strap must ensure that the strap is not damaged and is in usable condition
- the strap’s strength and stretch are reduced when the strap is saturated with water
- an object such as a recovery damper, heavy bag or blanket must be draped over the strap during its use to reduce any unintentional rebound of the strap
- before attempting the vehicle recovery, passengers of the vehicles involved must:
- exit the vehicles
- stand as far away from the vehicles as possible
- avoid standing in the path of the vehicle performing the recovery
- a recommendation that the minimum breaking strength of the strap should be between 2 and 3 times the vehicle’s GVM
- advice that the strap must be suited to the GVM of the lighter of the 2 vehicles used in the recovery process
Finally, a no tow-ball sign!
There will be a two year implementation period with the changes to be completed on all new straps for sale by December 1, 2019. We’re glad that finally we are seeing some Snatch Strap standards being brought in and updated, to add the common sense parts of recovering. We can only hope the people read them and severe injuries whilst recovering are a thing of the past.
