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Over 1.5 Million Step Stools Recalled due to Breaks and Collapsing Hazards

Wed, 6 Jun 2012 12:26:04 EST

Last month, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada announced the recall of approximately 1.6 million folding step stools sold in the U.S. and over 60,000 purchased in Canada.  According to the CPSC release, the folding step stools can break or collapse unexpectedly when in use, posing a fall hazard to consumers.  The step stools were sold from January 2010 through January of 2012.
 
There have been reports of incidences involving the breaking and cracking of the step stools, including several reports of injuries.  According to the CPSC release, 'This recall involves 9-inch and 13-inch Kennedy International folding step stools. The step stools are plastic and have a handle for carrying the stools when they are folded. The style number is 3575 for the 9-inch and 3576 for the 13-inch step stools. The style number is printed on a sticker on one of the legs of the stool.'
 
Product failures like this can result in injuries for consumers and be extremely costly to manufacturers and distributors.  When a part failure comes to light it is important that the root cause of the failure be quickly investigated and understood.  One company that has extensive experience in this field is EMSL Analytical, Inc.
 
At EMSL, the company provides a wide range of material testing, characterization and forensic laboratory services.  'The Materials Science Division at EMSL Analytical helps clients develop solutions to challenges in manufacturing, quality assurance, and research and development,' reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL.  'Unfortunately, product recalls resulting from material failures happen all too often.  In the case of the step stools several injuries did occur before consumers could be properly notified of the product failure risk.  EMSL's research scientists can help product manufacturers test products before they go to market and identify the root cause of problems if they have already occurred,' he continued.
 
EMSL's laboratory is supported by Ph.D. scientists and a broad array of instrumentation that can apply a full spectrum of standard and customized analyses including elemental and chemical, structural, particle, surface, contaminant, mechanical, failure, and bio-effectiveness to any project.  To learn more about materials testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.