First Sturdy Act Recall: Dressers Recalled For Violating Tipover Standard
May 2, 2024, Woodworking Network
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled the Mill Valley Junior, a six-drawer dresser that was sold exclusively at Rooms to Go. The recall was for violating a year-old, federally mandated tip-over standard. This is the first action CPSC has taken due to a violation under the STURDY (Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth) standard since it went into effect last year. According to the CPSC notice, the recalled dressers, which were imported by LFN Limited and manufactured in Vietnam, are unstable if they are not properly anchored to the wall, posing serious tip-over and entrapment hazards.
CPSC: Stop Using Floatstep Dock Ladders Due To Risk Of Fingertip Amputation And Crushing Injuries; No Acceptable Recall Offered
May 2, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is urgingconsumers not to purchase or sell Floatstep Dock Ladders and to stop using and dispose of the dock ladders immediately. The dock ladders have pinch points which can cause fingertip crushes and amputations. Two people have suffered fingertip amputations while using the ladders in incidents in Kentucky in 2022 and Florida in 2018. The manufacturer, Atlantic Aluminum and Marine Products Inc., of Lantana, Florida, has not agreed to an acceptable recall of the dock ladders at this time.
Four Reasons Why Managers Fail
April 11, 2024, Harvard Business Review
Gartner research has found that managers today are accountable for 51% more responsibilities than they can effectively manage — and they’re starting to buckle under the pressure. According to data from a 2018 study, 54% are suffering from work-induced stress and fatigue and 44% are struggling to provide personalized support to their direct reports. Ultimately, one in five managers said they would prefer not being people managers given a choice. Further analysis found that 48% of managers are at risk of failure. This article offers four predictors of manager failure and offers suggestions for organizations on how to address them.
Gov. Polis signs bill strengthening Colorado’s ‘forever chemical’ product bans
May 2, 2024, The Hill
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed into law a bill that will result in sweeping bans of “forever chemicals” across a wide range of consumer products. The law expands upon existing state legislation that prohibited the sale or distribution of certain products containing PFAS compounds, while laying out a specific timeline for the implementation of each ban. The compounds, of which there are thousands, are staple ingredients in industrial discharge, certain types of firefighting foam and many household items.
Bausch + Lomb recalls Project Watson dog eye wipes due to risk of bacteria, fungus exposure
May 2, 2024, KSBY 6 News
A recall was issued for Bausch + Lomb’s Project Watson dog eyelid wipes because of the risk that fungi and bacteria can begin to grow in the containers, posing a risk of infection for pets, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said. The company believes that when the package is opened, organisms can flourish in the container and can pose a risk not only to pets but to their human guardians as well, the consumer safety agency said. This risk is increased in those with weakened immune systems.
Bike Helmets Recalled: 140,000 And Counting Don’t Meet Safety Standards; 13 Separate Recalls
May 1, 2024, U.S. PIRG
Since Jan. 1, 2023, more than 140,000 bicycle helmets sold in the United States have been recalled because they didn’t meet federal safety standards. So far this year, from Jan. 1 through April 30, five brands of helmets have been recalled. During 2023, there were an additional eight, for a total of 13. During 2023 and 2024, eight were for children or youth. The total, so far, is 142,958 products recalled. All but one of the helmets were manufactured in China. All but one were modestly priced at $50 or less. Two of them were sold exclusively on Temu.com.
CPSC: Stop Using Floatwheel Self- Balancing Electric Skateboards; Fall And Crash Hazards; Chinese Maker Refuses CPSC Request For Recall And Product Information
May 2, 2024, cpsc.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers about the risk of death and serious injuries with Floatwheel’s self-balancing electric skateboards. Floatwheel, of China, has refused to agree to CPSC’s request for a recall and has refused to supply information to CPSC about the products. CPSC also advises that imports of the Floatwheel skateboards may be subject to enforcement action at U.S. ports to prevent their importation. The Floatwheel skateboards are currently sold on a Russian website for between $1,600 and $1,800.
Editorial: Indiana AG Rokita Right To Target Forever Chemicals
May 2, 2024, The Republic (Indiana)
Most everyone can appreciate the convenience of waterproof and nonstick products. But at what cost to public health and the environment? Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has filed a lawsuit against 22 companies in the state that, allegedly, have tried to conceal their longtime use of “forever chemicals” and the potential cost to human health. Defendants in the lawsuit include heavy hitters such as 3M Company, DuPont, Corteva, United Technologies and Carrier Global. Rokita is doing the right thing by holding almost two dozen companies operating in Indiana accountable for hiding those costs, allegedly, in order to sell their products.
The United Kingdom Intends To Recognize CE-Marked Weighing And Measuring Instruments Indefinitely
May 2, 2024, NIST
Before Brexit, products placed on the UK market had to comply with the EU directives and bear a CE mark (when applicable) to show compliance with these directives. After Brexit, the UK has implemented new UK regulations as a replacement for the EU directives. The UKCA mark was introduced as the new compliance mark for the UK market. The UK implemented a transition period ending on December 31, 2024, giving manufacturers and importers time to implement the new UK regulations into their business operations. However, on January 24, the UK government announced that it intends to legislate to continue recognition of EU requirements, including the CE marking, indefinitely for a range of product regulations this spring.
Connecticut Senate Targets More Products That Contain Pfas ‘Forever Chemicals’
May 2, 2024, CT News Junkie
The Connecticut Senate passed a bill that could ban the sale of many products that typically contain long-lasting, harmful chemicals that fall under a group called “PFAS.” The bill would ban the use of 14 products that contain the so-called “forever chemicals” – such as cleaning products, fabric treatments, and menstruation products. The ban on the sale of those products will be enacted on Jan. 1, 2028, with manufacturers being required to submit reports to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection that include a description of a product and the amount of PFAS chemicals is in it. That requirement will go into effect on Jan 1, 2026.
