Vermont American® Abrasive Cut-Off Wheels
CPSC Recall #06-184 — June 8, 2006
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 06-184 |
| Recall Date | June 8, 2006 |
| Remedy Type | Label, New Instructions |
| Units Affected | About 400,000 |
| Manufacturer | Robert Bosch Tool Corp., Mt. Prospect, Ill. |
| Manufactured In | Canada |
Where It Was Sold
| Industrial distributors nationwide from January 2001 through September 2005 for between $5 and $15. |
Product
Vermont American® Abrasive Cut-Off Wheels
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Robert Bosch Tool Corp., Mt. Prospect, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 400,000 Vermont American Abrasive Cut-Off Wheels. The Abrasive Cut-Off Wheel packages are not properly labeled with precautionary information on proper use and operation. The failure of a user to follow the instructions below could result in injury.Name of Product: Vermont American® Abrasive Cut-Off WheelsUnits: About 400,000Manufacturer: Robert Bosch Tool Corp., Mt. Prospect, Ill.Hazard: The Abrasive Cut-Off Wheel packages are not properly labeled with precautionary information on proper use and operation. The failure of a user to follow the instructions below could result in injury."! WARNING Read, understand and comply with tool manual before use. Follow OSHA and ANSI B7.1 standards. Use eye, face, dust and ear protection. Wear body apron and gloves. Speed rating of wheel must be greater than tool speed. Do not grind without guard adjusted for maximum operator protection. Mount wheel with the tool flanges provided. Run-in for one minute before application. Do not jam, twist or pinch wheel in work piece or apply excessive side pressure to the wheel. RECOIL may occur if wheel is jammed. Do not use near flammable materials or gases; fire or explosion may result. Do not expose to water, condensation or freezing. Discard wheel if dropped, cracked or chipped."Incidents/Injuries: None reported.Description: The wheels have a black, abrasive exterior; a red circular label on the interior; and are used to clean, slot, nick and cut metal. The wheels were sold under the "Vermont American" brand name had the following catalog numbers, diameters and blade thickness:Item #DiameterBlade Thickness280266-1/2"1/8"280277"-7-1/4"1/8"280288"1/8"2803010"1/8"2803212"1/8"2803314"1/8"Sold at: Industrial distributors nationwide from January 2001 through September 2005 for between $5 and $15.Manufactured In: CanadaRemedy: Consumers with abrasive cut-off wheels that are missing the safety instructions should contact Vermont American Customer Service to obtain safety warning information.Consumer Contact: Call Robert Bosch Tool Corp. at (800) 742-3869 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday thru Friday.
Hazard
The Abrasive Cut-Off Wheel packages are not properly labeled with precautionary information on proper use and operation. The failure of a user to follow the instructions could result in injury.
Incidents & Injuries
None reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers with abrasive cut-off wheels that are missing the safety instructions should contact Vermont American Customer Service to obtain safety warning information.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Label, New Instructions at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Label, New Instructions) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.