The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued an immediate recall of more than 2,500 stadium light poles, after confirming reports that 11 of the steel poles fell over. Most of of those incidents occurred in Texas, CPSC says.
The commission says that the poles range from about 70 to 135 feet tall, weigh one to four tons and are located near school stadiums and gyms.
CPSC says the manufacturer was Whitco Co. LLP, Fort Worth, which the commission says is out of business. It says that the recall does not affect Whitco Pole products.
CPSC says the poles were manufactured in the U.S. and Canada between 2000 and 2005 and are steel with a galvanized coating.
CPSC says that it is not aware of any injuries from the falling poles, though it adds that "some incidents have been close calls, with people exiting the area just minutes before a pole fell."
The commission says that the poles should be immediately inspected by an engineer or a Level II non-destructive-testing technician, adding that a visual examination "will not determine the extent of any cracking."
It also recommends a design analysis of stresses on the pole.
