The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today it had denied a request to establish a mandatory standard for electric fans because voluntary industry efforts had already solved the problem.
The Commission found that there was insufficient evidence to establish an unreasonable risk of injury associated with exposed turning blades of electric fans.
"This is a case that clearly demonstrates industry can and will act on its own to protect consumers," Commission Chairman Richard 0. Simpson said. "Virtually all manufacturers of electric fans have in recent years adopted an industry standard --UL 507--that provides substantial protection from injury."
The Commission had been petitioned by the Missouri Public Interest Research Group to establish a protective standard under the Consumer Product Safety Act. More than 6 million units of household fans were produced in 1974 at a total retail value of $110 million.
In considering the petition, the Commission found that most accidents associated with electric fans involved fans sold before the Underwriters' Laboratory, Inc., standard was established in 1972 or involved blades exposed because blade guards had been removed or altered.
The accident studies showed that children age 2 to 4 were most prone to fan injuries. To diminish this risk the UL standard was revised in April 1974.
In announcing its decision, the Commission stated that injury data indicates that injuries associated with electric fan blades are very minor in nature, are infrequent, and are principally associated with fans of dated manufacture. Praising the industry for its action Chairman Simpson said, "This shows industry can and does respond to consumer problems, and I look forward to more of this kind of action in the future."
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
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