Whalen Recalls Stainless Steel Tool Chests Due to Laceration Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Costco (Recall Alert)
Recall 14729 · Apr 10, 2014 · Whalen
20,000
units affected
20,000
units affected
Facts
- Recall number
- 14729
- Date
- Apr 10, 2014
- Company
- Whalen
- Units affected
- 20,000
- Product
- Stainless steel tool chests
- Product type
- Workshop Furnishings
- Remedy
- Repair
- Hazard
- Cuts
The product
The recalled tool chests are about 72 inches long, 37½ inches high and 19 inches deep. They are made of stainless steel with a 1½-inch thick wooden block top and with ten storage drawers on the left and center in a variety of heights. The right side has a cabinet with shelves and peg board to hang tools on the inside of the door. The chest stands on swivel caster wheels and has handles on each end that can be used to move the unit. Whalen item number WSMTB72 and Costco item number 496675 are printed in the assembly instructions.
What can happen
The inside of the right door has a metal stopper or flange with a sharp edge running the length of the door, which poses a laceration hazard.
The fix
Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact Whalen for a free repair kit that includes a protective cover for the flange. Whalen is contacting all purchasers directly.
Incidents and where it was sold
- Incidents
- Whalen has received 11 reports of injuries, including nine reports of minor cuts caused by the sharp-edged flange and two reports of cuts requiring stitches.
- Sold at
- Costco Wholesale Corp. from March 2010 through October 2013 for between $500 and $550.
Related pages
Questions and answers
What should I do with the recalled stainless steel tool chests?
Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact Whalen for a free repair kit that includes a protective cover for the flange. Whalen is contacting all purchasers directly.
What is the hazard?
The inside of the right door has a metal stopper or flange with a sharp edge running the length of the door, which poses a laceration hazard.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data; texts are shortened. Contact the company named above for the remedy.