WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Icon Health & Fitness Inc. of Logan, Utah, Thursday agreed to a $500,000 civil penalty for failing to report serious safety hazards associated with its home exercise equipment.
The settlement stems from a suit filed in federal court by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The CPSC also sued Wal-Mart but that case has yet to be resolved.
The CPSC alleged Icon failed to report dozens of injuries caused by a defect in its Weider and Weslo exercise gliders. The injuries included fractured vertebrae and herniated discs, some of which resulted in partial disability. By the time the company responded to a CPSC inquiry, 86 incidents resulting in 68 injuries had been reported.
The gliders were recalled in April 1999.
Wal-Mart is accused of selling many of the gliders and failing to report the defect even though a number of injuries occurred in Wal-Mart stores while consumers were trying out the devices.
The settlement also requires Icon to establish internal record keeping and monitoring systems to track information about product safety hazards.
Consumers are advised to stop using Weider Shape Glider Model WECR 4306, the Weider Power Glide Model WECR 4406 and the Weslo Shape Trainer Model WLCR 4356 and to call Icon at 800-999-3756 for a free repair kit. Consumers also can visit the company Web sites, weiderfitness.com or weslo.com.
