Safety standard for motor vehicle recovery straps
Reference: Fair Trading Regulation 2001 – Reprinted as in force on 1 July 2008
1 Packaging marking
(1) The packaging for a motor vehicle recovery strap must display the following information about the strap in English and in a way that is clearly visible and legible, including, for example, on the packaging or on a label attached to the packaging—
(a) its brand name or supplier’s logo;
(b) the name and contact details of its Australian manufacturer, importer, distributor or other supplier;
(c) its minimum breaking strength, expressed in metric units;
(d) a recommendation that the minimum breaking strength of the strap should be between 2 and 3 times the vehicle’s gross vehicle mass (GVM).
(2) Nothing in subsection (1) prevents the inclusion of other information with the packaging.
2 Accompanying information
(1) A motor vehicle recovery strap must also be accompanied by a document, other than the packaging, stating the following information written in English—
(a) a recommendation that the minimum breaking strength of the strap should be between 2 and 3 times the vehicle’s gross vehicle mass (GVM);
(b) advice that the strap must be suited to the GVM of the lighter of the 2 vehicles used in the recovery process;
(c) how to use and maintain the strap.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1)(c)—
(a) the information to accompany a motor vehicle recovery strap must state all of the following—
(i) persons intending to use the strap should consider completing a nationally recognised four wheel drive training course;
(ii) the strap must not be used for lifting or conventional towing;
(iii) persons intending to use the strap must ensure that the strap is not damaged and is in usable condition;
(iv) the strap’s strength and stretch are reduced when the strap is saturated;
(v) something like a recovery damper, heavy bag or blanket must be draped over the strap during its use to reduce any unintentional rebound of the strap;
(vi) while the strap is being used, persons situated outside the motor vehicles involved in the recovery process must—
(A) be kept at a safe distance (recommended as at least 1.5 times the length of the unstretched strap) from either of the vehicles involved in the recovery process; and
(B) never situate themselves within the path of the vehicle performing the recovery;
(b) the information must also include the following—
WARNING—Always follow product instructions. It is important to correctly attach the motor vehicle recovery strap to a motor vehicle. A standard tow ball or vehicle tie-down point is not designed for this purpose and may result in the strap or a vehicle component detaching from a motor vehicle and striking and seriously injuring or killing a person. Only attach the strap to a vehicle recovery point or device that is suitably rated for use with the strap. Incorrect use has previously resulted in serious injury and death.
(3) Nothing in this section prevents the inclusion of other accompanying information.