FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2002
Release # 02-140 |
Ames Recall Hotline: (866) 239-2281
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
|
Please note that this recall was re-announced at a later date which can be found by clicking here
CPSC, Ames True Temper Announce Recall of Wheelbarrows
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Ames True Temper Inc., of Camp Hill, Pa., is voluntarily recalling about 647,000 wheelbarrows. The plastic wheel assemblies on these wheelbarrows, manufactured by a predecessor company, can break when being inflated with high-pressure air hoses. This can result in plastic pieces exploding from the rims of the wheels, possibly hitting nearby consumers and causing lacerations and other injuries.
Ames True Temper has received eight reports of plastic rims fracturing, seven of which involve lacerations to consumers' hands, face, chest or arms. Some of the lacerations were severe, and required numerous stitches. One report involved nasal and other facial bone fractures, three reports involved finger or knuckle fractures, and one report included torn wrist ligaments caused by the force of the pieces striking a consumer.
The wheel assemblies on these wheelbarrows have a black plastic rim and have an approximately 14-inch diameter wheel. They have red, green or orange tubs or trays made of steel or plastic. The recalled Ames wheelbarrows were sold under the brand name "Mustang" or "Douglas." The brand name was printed on the label attached to the tray at the time of purchase. Wheelbarrows with metal wheel assemblies are not part of this recall. Also, no "True Temper" wheelbarrow is part of this recall.
Hardware stores and home centers nationwide sold the recalled wheelbarrows from January 1993 through December 2000 for between $20 and $30.
Consumers should not inflate the tires on these wheelbarrows. Consumers should contact Ames True Temper to receive a free replacement steel wheel assembly. For more information, call Ames True Temper toll-free at (866) 239- 2281 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
The recalled wheelbarrow wheels were manufactured and sold by O. Ames Company, a predecessor company of Ames True Temper.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov
CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.