McGraw-Edison Six-Inch Bench Grinders Recalled for Shock Hazard
McGraw-Edison is repairing about 16,000 six-inch bench grinders sold under various brands due to a potential electric shock hazard caused by worn wire insulation.
What this means for you
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk of severe electric shock, and the source text explicitly states that one case of shock was reported, fitting the criteria for a risk-of-harm product where injury has been reported but is not classified as a severe injury or death.
Plain-English summary
The Portable Appliance and Tool Group of McGraw-Edison Co. is conducting a voluntary repair program for approximately 16,000 six-inch bench grinders in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The affected units were manufactured between April and July 1973, and during limited periods between February 1977 and January 1978. These tools were sold under several brand names, including J.C. Penney, Kmart, Toastmaster, Ward's Power Kraft, Power House, Western Auto Wizzard, and Manning Bowman.
The recall addresses a hazard where a protective sleeve insulating a lead wire may wear through, causing the wire to contact the motor shaft. This condition could result in severe electric shock if the tool is not properly grounded and the user is grounded or touching a grounded metal object. Two cases of worn insulation have been reported, one of which resulted in a shock.
Consumers should temporarily stop using the bench grinders and contact the Bench Grinder Repair Program at McGraw-Edison Co. in Boonville, Missouri, to receive instructions for a free inspection and repair. Specific model numbers and date codes are listed in the official notice to determine if a unit is involved; units with specific date codes and an orange inspection sticker have already been inspected and are not part of this program.
The recalled product
- Product
- JC Penney six-inch bench grinders
- Manufacturer
- McGraw Edison
- Category
- Consumer Product — Power Tools
- Hazard
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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