Date published
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
COMPETITION AND CONSUMER ACT 2010
Safety warning notice to public
Pursuant to paragraphs 129(1)(a) and 129(1)(b) of Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, I, Michael McCormack, Minister for Small Business:
(a) state that the consumer goods specified below are under investigation to determine whether those goods will or may cause injury to any person, or a reasonably foreseeable use (including a misuse) of those goods, will or may cause injury to any person; and
(b) warn of possible risks involved in the use of those goods.
Warning
Pursuant to s129(1)(b), the Minister warns of the possible risk involved in the use of the affected goods supplied from 2000 – 2017.
Particulars of goods
Polaris youth quad bikes:
- Scrambler 50, Scrambler 90, Predator 90, Outlaw 90, Outlaw 110, Sportsman 90, Sportsman 110, Phoenix 200 - front and rear brakes
- Predator 50, Outlaw 50 - front & rear brakes and heat shield washer
- Sawtooth 200 - rear brakes only
- Ace 150 - gaskets only
Certain parts for the above vehicles:
- Front brake shoe - part number 0450422
- Rear brake shoe - part number 0450434
- Front brake pad - part number 0454664
- Heat shield washer - part number 0453861
- Rear brake shoe - part number 0452705
Possible risks
This Safety Warning has been issued because Polaris has advised that certain parts of some models of youth quad bikes and spare parts for those quad bikes supplied in Australia from 2000 until 2017 may contain asbestos.
There is a possible risk of injury to users and particularly repairers resulting from inhaling asbestos fibres that may be released from vehicle components, particularly if consumers perform any maintenance, repairs or modifications on these quad bikes or handle quad bike parts that may contain asbestos.
Investigation
On 19 June 2017, Polaris Sales Australia Pty Ltd (Polaris) notified a voluntary product recall for some models of Polaris youth quad bikes and certain parts for those bikes sold after 31 December 2003 (see PRA 2017/16150 on the Product Safety Australia website). The notification identifies certain parts of the affected quad bikes and spare parts for those bikes may contain asbestos.
The recall notified by Polaris covers goods imported into Australia after the importation of asbestos or goods containing asbestos was prohibited under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 on 31 December 2003. However, those models imported into Australia from 2000 until the prohibition in 2003 may also contain asbestos.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is investigating whether asbestos is present in the same goods supplied prior to the recall period, and if the same goods will or may cause injury to any person, or a reasonably foreseeable use (including a misuse) of those goods will or may cause injury to any person, due to possible asbestos content in these goods, following the identification of asbestos content in certain products supplied by Polaris since 2000.
Particulars of goods
Brake shoes of Polaris youth quad bikes and front and rear brake shoe replacement parts of models Scrambler 50, Scrambler 90, Sportsman 90 supplied in Australia from 2000 until 31 December 2003 and the Predator 90 model supplied from 2002 until 31 December 2003.
Advice to consumers
Do not perform any maintenance or repairs on all affected quad bikes that involves contact with or disturbing any potentially affected components, namely brake pads and shoes, gaskets and heat shield washers.
Ensure that any maintenance or repairs on the affected parts of these quad bikes is undertaken by professional mechanics at an authorised Polaris dealership.
Products supplied from 31 December 2003 are subject to a voluntary recall by Polaris. These affected products should only be taken to a Polaris dealership, and repaired by qualified personnel using appropriate safety procedures. Any materials containing asbestos must be disposed of at licensed facilities.
The ACCC is investigating whether asbestos is present in Polaris youth quad bikes and parts supplied in Australia between 2000 and 2003.
Dated this day of June 2017
MICHAEL MCCORMACK
Minister for Small Business