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CPSC recall · Reported June 23, 2016

3M Recalls Hard Hats Due to Shock Hazard

Hard hats sold online were marketed to protect against electric shock, but they do not provide this protection, posing a shock hazard to consumers.

Recall #
16201
Affected scope
About 7,500
Verify with CPSC →
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3M Company, of St. Paul, Minn. recalled This recall involves 3M vented hard hats sold under the 3M™, 3M™ Tekk Protection™ and AOS… - a moderate-severity action.

3M Recalls Hard Hats Due to Shock Hazard was recalled by 3M Company, of St. Paul, Minn. in June 23, 2016. Reason: Hard hats sold online were marketed to protect against electric shock, but they do not provide this protectio…. Remedy: Consumers who purchased the hard hats online for protection against electrical shock shou…. Verify recall #16201 with the CPSC before acting.

The recall

3M Company, of St. Paul, Minn. issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-Hard hats sold online were marketed to protect against electric shock, but they do not provide this protectio….

Moderate
severity level
June 23, 2016
reported

Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #16201 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #16201) was formally reported on June 23, 2016. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. 3M Company, of St. Paul, Minn. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as About 7,500.

The documented reason for this recall is: Hard hats sold online were marketed to protect against electric shock, but they do not provide this protection, posing a shock hazard to consumers. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: Consumers who purchased the hard hats online for protection against electrical shock should immediately stop using them and contact 3M for a free replacement hard hat. - consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.

Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from CPSC - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.

Household Products recalls over time

Where this recall sits in its category - 3,056 household products recalls on record

50100150200250 20052008201120142017202020232026 115
Severity2487872426High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.

Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.

Severity

Moderate

Affected scope

About 7,500

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product description

This recall involves 3M vented hard hats sold under the 3M™, 3M™ Tekk Protection™ and AOSafety™ brands. The hard hats are white, have eight, ¾-inch long ventilation slits along each side at the hat's crown and have a ratchet adjustment for fit. "3M" or "AOSafety" is molded into the white plastic on the top of the brim. "XLR8 VENTED" is molded onto the bottom of the brim. "ANSI Z89.1" is printed on a sticker inside the hard hats. This recall only involves the 3M hard hats sold online.

Reason for recall

Hard hats sold online were marketed to protect against electric shock, but they do not provide this protection, posing a shock hazard to consumers.

Remedy, what to do

Consumers who purchased the hard hats online for protection against electrical shock should immediately stop using them and contact 3M for a free replacement hard hat.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the CPSC recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Severity class Moderate
Status Active
Recall number 16201
Date reported June 23, 2016
Date initiated June 23, 2016
Recalling firm 3M Company, of St. Paul, Minn.
Affected scope About 7,500
Distribution Not disclosed
Official source CPSC notice →

Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

What to do with this recall

Consumers who purchased the hard hats online for protection against electrical shock should immediately stop using them and conta…

  • Check the recall number (16201) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
  • Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
  • Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next

This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
This recall involves 3M vented hard hats sold under the 3M™, 3M™ Tekk Protection™ and AOSafety™ brands. The hard hats are white, have eight, ¾-inch long ventilation slits along each side at the hat's crown and have a ratchet adjustment for fit. "3M" or "AOSafety" is molded into the white plastic on the top of the brim. "XLR8 VENTED" is molded onto the bottom of the brim. "ANSI Z89.1" is printed on a sticker inside the hard hats. This recall only involves the 3M hard hats sold online.. Recalled by 3M Company, of St. Paul, Minn.. Units affected: About 7,500.
Why was this product recalled?
Hard hats sold online were marketed to protect against electric shock, but they do not provide this protection, posing a shock hazard to consumers.
What should consumers do?
Consumers who purchased the hard hats online for protection against electrical shock should immediately stop using them and contact 3M for a free replacement hard hat.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on June 23, 2016. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 16201.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (16201) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product?
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.

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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: CPSC, reported June 23, 2016. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.