CPSC, Manufacturer Reannounce Home-Elevator Recall

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and manufacturer Waupaca Elevator Co. of Appleton, Wisconsin, have reannounced an October 2018 recall and are warning consumers not to use Custom Lift 450# and 500# home-elevator models until an overspeed safety device is installed by a local dealer. The models were sold through dealers nationwide from 1979-2008, and injuries and one death resulted from the elevator cab falling unexpectedly. Since the original announcement, Waupaca received 15 such reports. Many of the malfunctions were allegedly caused by a defect in the elevator gearbox. As part of the 2018 recall, Waupaca agreed to provide customers with a free gearbox inspection and to install a free overspeed safety device and free gearbox if an oil sample test showed an elevated level of wear in the oil. Go to the Waupaca website for contact and additional information.