Peloton Will Offer Safety Guard For Recalled Tread+ Treadmill
May 18, 2023, CNBC
The Consumer Product Safety Commission approved a repair for a rear guard of Peloton Interactive Inc’s recalled ‘Tread+’ treadmill. The fitness equipment maker had announced a costly recall of its ‘Tread+’ treadmill in 2021 following the reports of multiple injuries and the death of a child in an accident. Peloton’s Tread+ is a “slat-belt” treadmill that needs a higher torque motor and ground clearance than a typical home treadmill, making them a risk for children and pets. “The approved rear-guard repair eliminates the potential for entrapment near the rear roller of the treadmill,” the safety regulator said in a statement.
CPSC Statement: Peloton Tread+ Rear Guard Repair Approved
Illinois Senator Fine’s Bill To Create Database On Safety Of Children’s Products
May 17, 2023, Illinois Senate Democrats
A new initiative from State Senator Laura Fine will require the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to maintain a database on the safety of consumer products, making safety information much more accessible to protect Illinois children. House Bill 3363 requires DCFS to establish and maintain a public database on their website on the safety of consumer products regulated by the department. If enacted, the bill would put DCFS in compliance with the federal Consumer Product Safety Act. “This consumer-friendly resource will help better inform parents and caregivers about recalls of dangerous or hazardous toys on the market,” said Fine.
4 Distractions That Derail Meetings — And How To Handle Them
May 19, 2023, Harvard Business Review
Most of us have attended a meeting that veered off course, leaving us feeling confused or like we wasted our time. But meetings don’t have to be time consuming, unproductive or painful. Understanding a few common dysfunctional behaviors can help managers turn meetings to instruments for team success. The author presents four dysfunctional behaviors that cause meetings to derail. In addition, the author presents information that managers need to know to make their team’s meetings more effective, efficient and productive.
What Makes A Company More Likely To Issue A Product Recall? Maybe A New CEO
May 15, 2023, Marketplace Morning Report
Recalls are — unsurprisingly — not good for business. Companies have some discretion on how quickly to issue them. Thus, the term “voluntary recall.” But issuing a recall too slowly also has its costs, according to Consumer Reports’ William Wallace. Indiana University business school professor George Ball said his research shows the odds of a recall go up significantly when a new boss arrives. “They’re much more open to recalls the first couple years where, they’re really not culpable yet,” Ball said.
ChatGPT Chief Calls For AI Rules
May 17, 2023, Arkansas Democrat and Gazette
The head of the artificial intelligence company that makes ChatGPT told Congress that government intervention will be critical to mitigating the risks of increasingly powerful AI systems. “As this technology advances, we understand that people are anxious about how it could change the way we live. We are, too,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said. He made that statement at a Senate hearing. where he proposed the formation of a U.S. or global agency. The agency would license the most powerful AI systems and have the authority to “take that license away and ensure compliance with safety standards.”
Minnesota Legislature Passes Ban On “Forever Chemicals” PFAS
May 18, 2023, CBS Minnesota
Both chambers of the Minnesota state legislature approved a ban on so-called “forever chemicals” PFAS in consumer products. The bill was sent to Gov. Tim Walz for his signature. The legislation prohibits non-essential use of the substances in cookware, cosmetics, cleaning products and more starting in 2025. It also includes funding to help clean up water contaminated with the chemicals and will phase out PFAS in firefighting foam.
CPSC Racial Equity Plan Update (Pdf)
May 17, 2023, cpsc.gov
On January 20, 2022, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released its Equity Action Plan. The plan responds to Executive Order 13985 – Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. The CPSC’s Equity Action Plan lays out the challenges and barriers faced by the Commission in achieving more equitable public health outcomes with respect to product safety. The plan details steps the agency has already taken, and will take in the future to address the identified barriers. It is risk-driven. Here are the steps laid out in the plan.
Got Recalled Consumer Products? Follow These Steps To Keep Your Home Safe
May 17, 2023, vipHomeLink
Last year was a record-breaking year for recalls. More than 1 billion units of food, drugs, medical devices, automobile, and consumer products were recalled in the United States, and unfortunately, some of these products may still be in your home. That’s why we reached out to Patty Davis of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Patty shared with us important tips to help you handle recalled products, so they don’t harm you or your family.
Japan To Ban Some Magnetic Toys And Expanding Beads
May 19, 2023, Toy World
The Japanese government has moved to ban two types of toys that have been mistakenly ingested by children in a number of incidents, calling them “tiny time bombs”. As reported, the Cabinet of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida passed a decree on May 16th to ban the production and sale of magnetic toys and beads that expand when saturated, which do not meet international standards. These toys are seen as capable of causing serious accidents if swallowed, before adults have time to notice.
Protect The Only Brain You Have With The Best Bike Helmets For Trails And Roads
May 16, 2023, AOL.com
Choosing the right helmet is as important as choosing the right bicycle for your leisurely weekend rides or morning commutes. You want a helmet that fits the way you ride, your style, and your budget. There are three main types of helmets: Road helmets are lightweight and prioritize venting; mountain bike helmets provide more coverage and often include a visor to block the sun; and commuter helmets offer a more casual style and less ventilation. All helmets sold in the U.S. meet the same basic safety standard set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. These helmets have additional safety systems, such as MIPS, that can help protect you from concussion. Most importantly, make sure you wear a helmet every time you get on your bike.
Consumer Advocacy Group Supports Consumer Product Safety Commission Against Industry Attacks
May-June 2023, Public Citizen News
Companies are attacking the authority of the Consumer Product Safety Commission to do its work protecting consumers from dangerous products. A nonprofit consumer advocacy organization, Public Citizen, is filing briefs in courts across the nation to support the agency and its vital product-safety standards. The organization says the broad attacks on the CPSC in these cases reflect a larger trend of regulated industries trying to undermine the authority of federal agencies that protect consumers. And Public Citizen’s briefs in these cases reflect the organization’s long history of pushing back against attempts by industry to undo consumer protections.
