Recommendation 5

It was extraordinary that, given the concerns expressed by safety organisations about the modification and other problems with the machines, OPSS did not speak to customers as part of its Review. We have supplied OPSS with fresh data and evidence that they did not consider in the original review. We recommend that OPSS and BEIS conduct a new review of the safety of Whirlpool’s modification and investigate other possible sources of fires in Whirlpool’s tumble dryers and publish a full and comprehensive risk assessment. This should include an explanation of how RAPEX methodology has been used and customer testimonies assessed. The review should include a clear explanation of what risk means, in terms of the number of modified machines that might catch fire or malfunction.