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CPSC Alerts Consumers To Potential Hazard In Electric Arc Welder

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Recall Date:
February 22, 1974

Recall Details

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

February 22, 1974

 

Release # 74-012


WASHINGTON, D.C.(Feb. 22)--The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today warned that approximately 200,000 "Wel-Dex" arc welders purchased by consumers over the past four to six years may contain defects capable of causing fatal electric shock.

Consumers should immediately cease use of the product and take extreme care when disconnecting it from an electrical outlet.

The terminals on the welder are exposed, creating a potential hazard of electric shock, and, in addition, poor connection of the line cord to the welder could render the entire outer frame electrically alive.

The welders were manufactured by Wel-Dex Manufacturing Company, a subsidiary of Relco Industries, 2210 West 34th Street, Houston, Texas.

Both the names of the welder and the manufacturer appear on a nameplate on the welder.

The product was advertised through various media including organic gardening and farming magazines. All sales were made by mail order.

The Commission learned about the potential hazard as a result of a consumer complaint from an electrical engineer.

The Commission is investigating alternatives open to it to insure that the product is corrected or removed from the market. Further information will be released to consumers as soon as it is available.

Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.

If you are experiencing issues with a recall remedy or believe a company is being non-responsive to your remedy request, please use this form and explain the situation to CPSC.
About the U.S. CPSC

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death 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. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.

Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.

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