CPSC Announces Recall Of 250,000 Arc Welders Due To Shock Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 16) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced the recall of 250,000 electric arc welders made by Western Manufacturing and Supply Company of Kearny, Nebraska, since 1950.

The welders, sold by mail order for from $9.95 to $14.95 each, may pose a substantial hazard in the form of electric shock and skin burns.

The recall is a requirement of an order issued pursuant to a consent agreement accepted by the Commission under Section 15 of the Consumer Product Safety Act.

Western Manufacturing and Supply Company, also known a Midway Sales, Inc., has discontinued production of the welders and has stopped all sale of the units, known as Midway Electric Arc Welders, that were made without electrical isolation.

The CPSC found that the construction of the unit allowed the power supply voltage to reach the electrodes directly in a way that could result in a shock for anyone coming in contact with the electrodes or a piece of metal in contact with the electrodes.

In addition, the welder's metal housing lacked thermal insulation, posing a threat of severe skin burns. The welder instructions also stated that fuses with a 30 ampere capacity should be substituted for 15 or 20 ampere household fuses in circuit to which the welder was attached.

The welder unit was sold with an assortment of electrodes, an eye shield and printed materials. The name Midway appears on the face plate. Model numbers include DD, D, E, F, DS, and K. Consumers who have these welders should mail them directly to Western Manufacturing and Supply Company, 1400 West 22nd Street, Kearny, Nebraska 68847, Attention : Mr. P. Beshore, with a note indicating the consumer's return address and cost for postage. A full refund for the welder will be returned to the consumer along with the cost of postage.