New Snatch Strap Legislation

[Bird]

from Dec 1st

More info here -:>
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017L01560
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017L01560/Download

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Consumer Goods (Motor Vehicle recovery Straps) Safety Standard 2017
Overview
The Commonwealth Minister for Small Business (the Minister) has made a safety standard for motor vehicle recovery straps pursuant to section 104 of the Australian Consumer Law, which is Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth).
The safety standard comes into effect on the day after it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation. A transitional period of 24 months will apply during which suppliers may supply motor vehicle recovery straps that meet either the previous safety standard or the new safety standard. At the end of the 24 month transitional period suppliers will need to ensure they comply with the new safety standard.
The purpose of the safety standard is to reduce the risk of death and serious injuries resulting from the use of motor vehicle recovery straps. The previous standard was introduced in 2010 due to concerns about the safety of these products.
Since 2003, six Australians have been killed when motor vehicle recovery straps have been used to recover a bogged vehicle. These deaths have occurred when a person has incorrectly attached the motor vehicle recovery strap to a non-prescribed part of a vehicle. As a result incorrect attachment points (such as a tow bar) have sheared from the vehicle and lethally struck either a vehicle occupant or bystander.
Repealed Standard
The previous safety standard for motor vehicle recovery straps was the Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standard) (Motor Vehicle Recovery Straps) Regulations 2010.
Under subsection 33(3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, where an Act confers a power to make, grant or issue any instrument of a legislative or administrative character (including rules, regulations or by-laws), the power shall be construed as including a power exercisable in the like manner and subject to the like conditions (if any) to repeal, rescind, revoke, amend, or vary any such instrument.
Requirements of the safety standard
This safety standard applies to motor vehicle recovery straps.
The safety standard has been updated to amend the warning label and user instructions to include pictograms, instructions for correct use and clearer statements about the hazards associated with incorrect use.
The safety standard includes the following definitions:
gross vehicle mass, for a motor vehicle, means the maximum loaded mass of the vehicle as stated:
(a) on the compliance plate, registration certificate or build plate for the vehicle; or
(b) in the handbook for the vehicle; or
(c) in documentation for the vehicle available from the vehicle’s manufacturer.
minimum breaking strength, for a motor vehicle recovery strap, means the minimum load necessary to cause the strap to fail. Authorised Version Explanatory Statement registered 01/12/2017 to F2017L01560
motor vehicle recovery strap means a strap, commonly called a snatch strap, for attaching to a bogged vehicle to tow it clear of the bogged situation.
transitional period means the period of 24 months beginning on the day this instrument commences.
Transitional arrangements
The instrument provides a transitional period of 24 months beginning on the day this instrument commences. During the transitional period suppliers must meet the requirements of either:
? the Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standard) (Motor Vehicle Recovery Straps) Regulations 2010, or
? the Consumer Goods (Motor Vehicle Recovery Straps) Safety Standard 2017.
After the transitional period suppliers must meet the requirements of the Consumer Goods (Motor Vehicle Recovery Straps) Safety Standard 2017.
Consultation
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) published a consultation paper for motor vehicle recovery straps on 23 October 2016 closing on 26 November 2016. The paper detailed three policy options for dealing with the current mandatory safety standard:
Option 1 - Keep the current safety standard (status quo)
Option 2 - Remake the safety standard with improved safety warnings and instructions
Option 3 - Revoke the safety standard.
Eight submissions were received from a range of stakeholders, including an industry association, a motoring association, retailers and suppliers.
All eight stakeholders were in favour of option 2 – to remake the safety standard with improved warnings and instructions.
Stakeholders indicated that including pictograms in the warning label could be achieved at minimal cost provided an adequate transition period was provided.
Disallowance
This legislative instrument is not subject to disallowance due to subsection 44(1) of the Legislation Act 2003.
Commencement
This legislative instrument commences on the day after it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.
Sunsetting
This legislative instrument is exempt from sunsetting. Schedule 12 of the Legislation (Exemptions and Other Matters) Regulation 2015 (No. 158, 2015) lists as exempt, instruments made under section 104 or 105 (safety standards) of Schedule 2 (the Australian Consumer Law) to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Authorised Version Explanatory Statement registered 01/12/2017 to F2017L01560
Regulation impact assessment
The Office of Best Practice Regulation advised a Regulation Impact Statement was not required. Authorised Version Explanatory Statement registered 01/12/2017 to F2017L01560


https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017L01560
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017L01560/Download

[Charlie Brown]

So, no substantive changes to the actual construction of a snatch strap, simply upgraded warning labels and instructions with pictograms.   Really?  Straps are used by males.  When was the last time you saw a male reading instructions 

[Cruiser 105Tvan]

So, no substantive changes to the actual construction of a snatch strap, simply upgraded warning labels and instructions with pictograms.   Really?  Straps are used by males.  When was the last time you saw a male reading instructions 

Only read instructions when it fails to work or it breaks, don't you?

[rags]

So, no substantive changes to the actual construction of a snatch strap, simply upgraded warning labels and instructions with pictograms.   Really?  Straps are used by males.  When was the last time you saw a male reading instructions 

Better than the alternative, that the strap could not have looped ends.

[alnjan]

Which leads to only one question really

When are they releasing the Safety Standard for the control of Stupidity?

Yes I have used quite a few snatch straps over the years and had a few break when used in anger, with no damage to vehicle or injury to anyone.  Not saying or suggesting I am better then anyone else, just that if you do a few simple things right you can greatly reduce damage and injury.  Stupidity on the other hand has done some pretty amazing things to cause damage and injury.

[Humphreythebear]

Can’t legislate against Stupid .

[BBull]

People get killed using this equipment. So if a few diagrams on a strap has the potential to save a life. Go for it I say.

[corndog]

There is enough good information on using recovery gear around on all media. Books, magazines, videos, TV shows, You tube, etc. If people don't take the time to find the information and learn how to use gear the safe and proper way I doubt a few stickers on the strap will go a long way in reducing ignorance or stupidity.

[Rumpig]

There is enough good information on using recovery gear around on all media. Books, magazines, videos, TV shows, You tube, etc. If people don't take the time to find the information and learn how to use gear the safe and proper way I doubt a few stickers on the strap will go a long way in reducing ignorance or stupidity.

I was thinking the same, then I thought for the sake of changing / adding another label, if it saves one person who just stops for a second and reads how to use it safely, then maybe it's worth it