CPSC Warns of Fatal Electric Shock Hazard in Wel-Dex Arc Welders
The CPSC warned that approximately 200,000 Wel-Dex arc welders may contain defects capable of causing fatal electric shock. Consumers should immediately cease use of the product.
What this means for you
Highest-severity recall. Risk of serious injury or death is documented or strongly suspected. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.
Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states the defects are capable of causing 'fatal electric shock,' which aligns with the rubric criterion for known fatalities or death/serious injury reports.
Plain-English summary
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning on February 22, 1974, regarding approximately 200,000 "Wel-Dex" arc welders purchased by consumers over the preceding four to six years. The agency identified defects in these units that are capable of causing fatal electric shock.
The hazard stems from exposed terminals on the welder and poor connection of the line cord to the unit, which could render the entire outer frame electrically alive. The welders were manufactured by Wel-Dex Manufacturing Company, a subsidiary of Relco Industries, and were sold by mail order through various media, including organic gardening and farming magazines. Both the welder and manufacturer names appear on a nameplate on the product.
The CPSC learned of the potential hazard through a consumer complaint from an electrical engineer. The Commission advised consumers to immediately cease use of the product and to take extreme care when disconnecting it from an electrical outlet. At the time of the release, the Commission was investigating alternatives to ensure the product was corrected or removed from the market.
The recalled product
- Product
- Relco arc welders
- Manufacturer
- Wel-Dex
- Category
- Consumer Product — Power Tools
- Hazard
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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