The Recall Desk
SevereCPSC·10295·Announced 2010-07-06

Whitco Stadium Light Poles Recalled for Risk of Falling and Serious Injury

CPSC recalls Whitco stadium light poles 70 feet or taller due to structural cracks that can cause the poles to fall, posing a risk of serious injury or death.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. 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 defect in large equipment) with reports of significant property damage and a risk of serious injury and death, fitting the 'Severe' criteria for significant injury/property-damage reports.

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is recalling Whitco Company LP outdoor steel stadium light poles that are between 70 and 135 feet tall. These poles, manufactured between 2000 and 2005, weigh between 1 and 4 tons and are installed at facilities such as recreational parks, schools, and outdoor stadiums. The recall involves more than 2,500 units sold by lighting contractors nationwide.

The recall is issued because the poles can fall over due to fractures or cracks near the weld that joins the pole to its base plate. As of June 2010, CPSC confirmed eleven incidents where these poles fell, causing significant property damage, including one instance where a pole fell through a school gymnasium roof. While CPSC is not aware of any injuries to date, some incidents were close calls with people exiting the area just before the poles fell. Inspections have also identified more than 50 poles that have not yet fallen but show fractures or cracks.

Because the manufacturer, Whitco Company LP, is out of business, individual owners of the poles must arrange for immediate inspection by an engineer or a Level II non-destructive testing technician. Visual examinations are insufficient to determine the extent of cracking; non-destructive techniques such as magnetic particle inspection, dye penetrant, or ultrasonic inspection are recommended. If cracking or fracturing is found, the affected poles must be repaired or replaced by a qualified professional. Owners can contact CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 for additional information.

The recalled product

Product
Whitco Company LP poles 70 feet tall or higher
Manufacturer
Whitco Company LP, of Fort Worth, Texas (which is out of business)
Category
Consumer Product — Outdoor Lighting Equipment
Hazard
Affected units
2,500

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · structural failure

See all →