Unsafe chainsaw remained on sale for almost a year

File Photo / NZ Herald

An unsafe Black and Decker chainsaw remained on shelves for almost a year after a change in regulations banning its sale.

Chainsaws without a manual safety chain brake were declared unsafe in September 2009, which meant they could no longer be sold or advertised, either new or used.

However, a Black and Decker chainsaw without the mandatory chain brake remained on sale until July last year.

The company was alerted to the regulations breach by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, and issued a recall of the CCS818-XE chainsaw in February last year.

Ministry spokesman Alastair Stewart said the recall was voluntary and there was no suggestion the company had intentionally breached the regulations.

"The ministry will monitor the recall process, but will not be taking any further actions," he said.

Anyone in possession of a chainsaw without a manual safety chain brake was urged to dispose of it and upgrade to one with the device fitted.

"Chainsaws are dangerous pieces of equipment and it is important to take safety seriously when using them," Mr Stewart said.

ACC receives an average of 185 injury claims a year for chainsaw-related incidents, at a cost of about $2 million a year.

Customers who purchased a CCS818-XE chainsaw could contact Black and Decker to arrange a refund and pick-up of the item.

Calls to Black and Decker were not returned.

- NZPA