Recall made on stadium lights at Tullahoma High School

Written by TSI staff | 11 July 2010

The Saturday Independent has learned that the stadium light poles at Tullahoma High School's Wilkins Stadium may be affected by a national safety recall by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Whitco Company LP, of Fort Worth, Texas was targeted in the July 6 report. The company is no longer in business.

The report states: "The poles can fracture or crack and fall over, posing a risk of serious injury or death to patrons and bystanders from being hit or crushed. The poles range from 1 to 4 tons increasing the risk of death if the pole falls toward a crowded stadium or onto a building.

"Incidents/Injuries: As of June 2010, CPSC has confirmed eleven incidents in which Whitco Co. LP poles fell. In one incident, a pole fell through the roof of a school gymnasium causing significant property damage. In two other incidents, the poles fell onto outdoor bleachers causing significant property damage. The latest incident occurred at Integrity Park Inc. in Argyle, Texas.

"The majority of incidents occurred in Texas with others in several other states where Whitco Co. LP poles have been installed. To date, CPSC is not aware of any injuries. However, some incidents have been close calls, with people exiting the area just minutes before a pole fell. CPSC has also identified more than 50 Whitco Co. LP poles that have not yet fallen, but inspections revealed fractures and/or cracks next to the weld that joins the pole to its base plate. The fallen and cracked poles were located near or around school football stadiums and gymnasiums."

The report recommends that the poles not be used until a licensed engineer inspects them for cracks at the joints.

Wilkins Stadium was renovated last year after inspections revealed "cancerous" structural issues in the origianl concrete stadium. An aluminum stadium has replaced the old one.

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