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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2004
Release # 05-022
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CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Scott Wolfson or Eric Criss
(301) 504-7051 or (301) 504-7908
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RRK Holdings Inc. to Pay Penalty for Failing to Report Hazard with
Spiral Saws
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A power tool manufacturer, which went out of
business, has agreed to pay a civil penalty to settle allegations that
it failed to report a serious safety hazard with its power spiral saws
to the federal government. RRK Holdings Inc. (formerly known as Roto
Zip Tool Corp.), of Black Rock, Wis., has agreed to pay $100,000 for
allegedly violating federal reporting requirements by not informing the
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in a timely manner about
problems with the handle on the spiral saw.
Between 1999 and October 2001, Roto Zip sold about 1.4 million
hand-held spiral saws under the Revolution, Rebel and Solaris brand
names. Some of these power tools had a loose fit between the handle and
body. In a number of instances, this caused the handle to detach from
the body of the saw while it was in use. The falling saw caused
lacerations and other injuries.
Between January 2001 and October 2001, the company received at
least 235 reports of saws detaching from the handle. Between the fall
of 2000 and October 2001, Roto Zip received 20 reports of injuries
caused by the handle detaching while the saw was in use. Several
consumers received cuts requiring stitches to their hands and leg, and
one consumer allegedly received a serious laceration that required
surgery.
Between February and April of 2001, Roto Zip made design changes
to the saw to correct the problem with the loose fitting handles.
Consumers continued to report handle failures to the company, yet the
company failed to notify CPSC of the design changes and consumer
reports. In September 2001, after receiving incident reports directly
from consumers, CPSC conducted an inspection of the company’s
headquarters. One month later, Roto Zip filed a full report with the
Commission.
In February 2002, CPSC and Roto Zip announced a recall of 1.9
million spiral saws. By this time, there were 360 reports of handle
failures. In August 2003, Roto Zip sold all of its assets and ceased
operations.
According to federal law, manufacturers, distributors, and
retailers are required to report to CPSC immediately (within 24 hours)
after obtaining information which reasonably supports the conclusion
that a product contains a defect which could create a substantial risk
of injury to the public, presents an unreasonable risk of serious injury
or death, or violates a federal safety standard.
In agreeing to settle the matter, RRK Holdings Inc. denies that
the spiral saws were defective and that it violated the reporting
requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Act.
Revolution® | 
Rebel™ | 
Solaris™ |
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