Office Chairs Recalled By Consumer Product Safety Commission

Many workplace injuries are caused by falls. Now, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled about 8,400 Realspace Soho Prestigio High-Back leather chairs, which were sold at Office Depot stores throughout the United States from October 2008 through February 2011.

The chief problem with the chair involves the seat plate, which can break and “pose fall and injury hazards to consumers,” according to the CPSC. Office Depot has received 78 reports of incidents involving a seat plate breaking, including one report of a fall injury.

Falls can cause serious and life-altering injuries. They are listed as the leading cause of accidental injuries by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and are blamed for thousands of head injuries, back injuries, broken bones and other trauma suffered by Americans today.

When the CPSC issues recalls, it is important to heed the warnings. The chair’s manufacturer, True Innovations, is providing free seat repair kits to consumers.

To find out whether your chair is among the recalled products, contact your employer about the notice and ask your employer to verify that the chair is safe to use. You have the right to expect that your workplace is a safe and hazard-free environment, and a replacement chair should be provided if your chair has been recalled.

To request your repair kit, call the manufacturer at (800) 379-9773 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit its website at www.trueinnovations.com.