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About 67,000 ECHO and Shindaiwa backpack blowers have been recalled after the manufacturer received 62 reports of incidents involving the blowers, including one injury. The injury occurred when a safety failure caused a plastic shard to strike a user in the neck, according to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall 20-086.
The problem is that the blower’s shoulder straps, plastic buckles, or the anti-static ground wire can be drawn into the blower fan and fan housing, causing them to be shredded and shot out of the machine, posing laceration and impact hazards.
This recall involves ECHO and Shindaiwa brand 2-cycle gas powered commercial backpack blowers with shoulder straps. It also includes replacement shoulder straps for the units. A full list of recalled model, serial, and part numbers is available on the recall notice.
The recalled blowers were sold between August 2018 and February 2020, online at www.HomeDepot.com and www.Grainger.com, and through ECHO and Shindaiwa outdoor power equipment dealers.
The blowers should be removed from use, and can be repaired for free at authorized ECHO or Shindaiwa dealers. ECHO can also be reached at 800-432-3246, and Shindaiwa at 877-986-7783 for more information.
Naomi Millán is senior editor of Building Operating Management. Go here for other recent recall notices.
