RIDGID® brand stepladders
CPSC Recall #99-169 - September 7, 1999
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 99-169 |
| Recall Date | September 7, 1999 |
| Remedy Type | - |
| Units Affected | About 10,700 |
| Manufacturer | Louisville Ladder Group LLC, of Louisville, Ky. |
Where It Was Sold
| Home Depot stores nationwide sold the ladders from May 1999 through July 1999 for between $119 and $223. |
Product
RIDGID® brand stepladders
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Louisville Ladder Group LLC, of Louisville, Ky., is recalling about 10,700 RIDGID® brand stepladders. Some ladders have steps that are too short and are improperly attached to the ladder. The step can detach from the ladder, causing a consumer to fall. Louisville Ladder has received one report of a ladder's step detaching from the ladder. No injuries have been reported. The ladders being recalled are fiberglass Type 1A stepladders in lengths of 6 feet (model R-3011-06), 8 feet (model R-3011-08) and 10 feet (model R-3011-10). The ladders have a red plastic top and gray railings. The brand name RIDGID appears on the plastic top and on the sides of the railings. The recalled ladders have manufacture dates listed as April 1999, May 1999, June 1999 and July 1999. The model number and manufacture date are on a white label on the side of the ladder. Home Depot stores nationwide sold the ladders from May 1999 through July 1999 for between $119 and $223. Consumers should inspect their ladders to determine if there is a short step that is improperly attached. If so, consumers should stop using the recalled ladders immediately and call Louisville Ladder toll-free at (888) 318-7911 anytime or access their web site at www.ridgidladder.com/notice.htm. The company will help consumers determine if the steps are attached properly. If the steps are not attached properly, they should return the ladders to the nearest Home Depot store for an exchange or refund of the purchase price. Ladders with "OK" marked on the inside of the front rail have been inspected and are not included in this recall.
Hazard
Some ladders have steps that are too short and are improperly attached to the ladder. The step can detach from the ladder, causing a consumer to fall.
Incidents & Injuries
Louisville Ladder has received one report of a ladder's step detaching from the ladder. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should inspect their ladders to determine if there is a short step that is improperly attached. If so, consumers should stop using the recalled ladders immediately and call Louisville Ladder toll-free at (888) 318-7911 anytime. The company will help consumers determine if the steps are attached properly. If the steps are not attached properly, they should return the ladders to the nearest Home Depot store for an exchange or refund of the purchase price.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a remedy 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 (refund, replacement, or repair) at no cost to you.
Furniture tip-overs are a leading cause of pediatric injuries in the U.S., particularly dressers, bookcases, and television stands. CPSC data shows that a child dies approximately every two weeks from a furniture or TV tip-over. Unstable high chairs, baby swings, and bouncers are also frequent recall subjects due to fall risks. ASTM International standards now require that certain furniture must meet tip-over resistance standards, and CPSC has been actively pursuing mandatory requirements for dressers and chests. If you have furniture that was not recalled but feels unstable, wall-anchoring kits are widely available at hardware stores.
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.