CMC Safety & Inspection Notice – CSR2
On June 16, CMC issued a Product Safety & Inspection Notice for CMC CSR2 Pulleys. The Affected Units include:
Petzl has updated several of its most widely used professional work harnesses, including the ASTRO, AVAO, VOLT, and SEQUOIA PLUS. Rather than introducing entirely new platforms, the latest generation focuses on practical improvements that simplify equipment management, support modern work-at-height techniques, and extend the serviceability of designated wear components.
For safety managers, rope access technicians, utility workers, arborists, and industrial maintenance professionals, these updates are less about changing how the harnesses are used and more about improving long-term ownership and day-to-day usability.
This article examines the documented changes to Petzl’s latest Professional harness line and what they mean for workers responsible for fall protection, rope access, and tree care.
Across the updated harness range, several themes emerge:
Instead of redesigning successful harness platforms, Petzl has concentrated on areas that affect inspection, maintenance, and everyday use.
The Petzl ASTRO remains the company’s flagship harness for rope access, confined space entry, and prolonged suspension work.
The most significant documented update is the introduction of a replaceable ventral connection loop.
Because this textile connection point experiences continual movement from descenders, connectors, and other hardware, it is naturally one of the highest-wear areas on the harness. Petzl now allows this approved wear component to be replaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions and inspection criteria.
For employers managing PPE inventories, this change can help reduce unnecessary harness replacement while supporting more sustainable equipment management.
The ASTRO continues to provide the features that rope access technicians expect, including a ventral attachment point, wide support surfaces for suspension work, and multiple equipment loops for carrying rope access hardware.
The Petzl AVAO remains designed for a wide range of industrial applications, including construction, telecommunications, utilities, manufacturing, and industrial maintenance.
Like the ASTRO, selected AVAO models now incorporate a replaceable ventral connection loop, improving serviceability by allowing an approved high-wear component to be renewed instead of requiring replacement of the entire harness.
The overall harness architecture remains familiar, with front and dorsal fall-arrest attachment points, side positioning attachment points, adjustable leg loops, and equipment carrying options suitable for technicians who regularly move between climbing, positioning, and general work-at-height tasks.
For organizations already using the AVAO platform, these updates should require little additional user training while offering practical benefits for long-term equipment management.
The Petzl VOLT continues to focus on fall-arrest applications where workers spend more time climbing structures than performing rope access.
Typical industries include:
One of the most notable additions is the LADDER CLIMB attachment point.
Designed for use with compatible guided-type ladder fall-arrest systems, this dedicated connection point helps standardize attachment practices when climbing fixed ladders.
For employers, consistent attachment methods can simplify worker training and equipment inspections while reducing uncertainty about proper connection locations.
The updated VOLT also introduces integrated MGO connector parking.
Large scaffold hooks and rebar connectors are often cumbersome when temporarily disconnected from an anchor. Dedicated parking locations provide a secure place to store these connectors during movement without allowing them to swing freely.
Connector parking is intended solely for equipment storage and is not a load-bearing attachment point.
Unlike industrial full-body harnesses, the Petzl SEQUOIA PLUS is purpose-built for arboriculture.
Professional tree care requires frequent repositioning, lateral movement, and efficient climbing techniques that differ significantly from industrial rope access.
The SEQUOIA PLUS incorporates a replaceable bridge, multiple equipment attachment points, and compatibility with modern Single Rope System (SRS) climbing methods described by Petzl. The harness also accommodates knee ascender systems commonly used by arborists during rope ascent.
Rather than serving as a general-purpose fall-arrest harness, the SEQUOIA PLUS is specifically configured for the movement patterns associated with professional tree work.
Regardless of model, selecting a work harness begins with a documented hazard assessment.
Before purchasing or issuing a harness, employers should verify:
Proper equipment selection remains just as important as the features built into the harness itself.
| Harness | Primary Application | Key Documented Features |
|---|---|---|
| ASTRO | Rope access, confined space, suspension work | Replaceable ventral connection loop, ventral attachment point, equipment organization |
| AVAO | General work at height, work positioning, fall arrest | Replaceable ventral connection loop, multiple attachment points, adjustable fit |
| VOLT | Fall arrest and ladder climbing | LADDER CLIMB attachment point, MGO connector parking |
| SEQUOIA PLUS | Professional arboriculture | Replaceable bridge, SRS compatibility, arborist-specific design |
The latest Petzl Professional harness updates focus on practical improvements rather than dramatic redesigns.
The introduction of replaceable connection loops on the ASTRO and selected AVAO models reflects a growing emphasis on long-term serviceability. The VOLT adds features that support fixed-ladder climbing and better equipment management, while the SEQUOIA PLUS continues to evolve around the specific needs of professional arborists.
For safety professionals evaluating new PPE, these updates are most meaningful from a lifecycle perspective. Improvements that simplify inspection, reduce unnecessary replacement, and support consistent work practices can deliver measurable value throughout the service life of the equipment.
What is new on the Petzl ASTRO harness?
The primary documented update is a replaceable ventral connection loop, allowing an approved high-wear component to be replaced according to Petzl’s instructions.
Does the new AVAO have a replaceable connection loop?
Yes. Selected updated AVAO models incorporate the same replaceable ventral connection loop concept found on the ASTRO.
What is the LADDER CLIMB attachment point on the Petzl VOLT?
It is a dedicated attachment point designed for use with compatible guided-type ladder fall-arrest systems.
What is MGO connector parking?
MGO connector parking provides a designated storage location for large connectors when they are not attached to an anchor. It is not intended as a load-bearing connection point.
Who is the SEQUOIA PLUS designed for?
The SEQUOIA PLUS is designed specifically for professional arborists and tree care workers using modern climbing and work-positioning techniques.
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