Tens of thousands of electric chainsaws and pole saws sold across the United States are being recalled after officials warned that a faulty switch could cause blades to run unexpectedly, posing a serious injury risk.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced a recall of approximately 49,000 saws manufactured by Positec Tool Corporation. The saws, which were sold under brand names including Hyper Tough, Worx, and Portland, have been removed from shelves at major retailers such as Walmart and Harbor Freight, as well as online through Amazon and the Worx official website.
Another 3,000 units were also recalled in Canada.
At the center of the recall is a defect in the main power switch, which may fail and cause the blade to keep moving even after the user releases the trigger. The CPSC described this as a “laceration hazard,” warning that the unexpected running blade could lead to some serious injuries.
However, no injuries have been reported so far, and officials said that the recall is being carried out as a precautionary measure, not a response to any medical claims.
The recalled models include:
- Hyper Tough 9 Amp Electric Corded 14-inch Chainsaw, sold at Walmart
- Worx 8 Amp 14-inch Electric Chainsaw
- Worx 8 Amp Electric Pole Saw
- Portland 9 Amp 14-inch Chainsaw, sold at Harbor Freight
Positec is offering free replacement units to customers. To receive a recall replacement, owners should contact the company to obtain a pre-paid shipping label and, if needed, a box for returning the defective saw.
Once the tool is returned, Positec will send a replacement at no cost.
While the exact number of saws still in circulation is unclear, the CPSC is emphasizing the importance of checking the model numbers and serial information listed in the official recall notice.
Notably, the CSPS also issued two separate recalls for chainsaws last month.
On June 5, the CPSC recalled approximately 7,180 DR Power Equipment battery-powered chainsaws due to the potential for their motor controllers to overheat during use, which could cause the saws to catch fire. The following week, on June 12, they also recalled about 113,000 RYOBI cordless hedge trimmers because the blade can unexpectedly activate when only one control is pressed, another laceration hazard.