OfficeMax Recalls Task Chairs Due to Structural Breakage and Fall Hazard
OfficeMax is recalling about 216,000 task chairs because the back or base post can break, posing a fall hazard. The company has received 15 reports of injuries.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).
The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect equivalent (structural furniture defect) and reports of significant injuries, including concussions, which aligns with the 'Severe' criteria for significant injury reports.
Plain-English summary
OfficeMax Inc. is recalling about 216,000 OfficeMax Task Chairs with model numbers OM182 and OM96614. The chairs are charcoal or dark charcoal in color and feature black plastic arms and a rolling plastic and metal base. The model number is located under the chair's seat on a white UPC label.
The recall is due to a structural defect where the back and the base post of the chair can break while in use, posing a fall hazard to consumers. OfficeMax has received about 35 reports of the chair backs or posts breaking, including 15 reports of injuries involving lacerations, muscle strains, contusions, and concussions.
The chairs were sold at OfficeMax stores nationwide, on the firm's website, in OfficeMax catalogs, and through direct commercial sales to businesses from September 2003 through July 2008 for between $40 and $65. Consumers should immediately stop using the chairs and return them to any OfficeMax store for a full refund or a $55 gift card if the consumer does not have a receipt.
The recalled product
- Product
- OfficeMax Task Chairs
- Manufacturer
- OfficeMax Inc., of Naperville, Ill.
- Category
- Consumer Product — Furniture
- Affected units
- 216,000
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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