What was recalled
In the world of commercial lighting, reliability is everything. When a business relies on high-output fixtures to keep warehouses, factories, or large retail spaces illuminated, any uncertainty about safety can disrupt operations and put people at risk. That is why the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) stepped in with an important notice regarding Cooper Lighting’s Metalux Optimized High Bay (OHB) LED light fixtures. This recall, announced on July 2, 2026, targets specific models of these industrial-grade lights that were designed for indoor use in commercial structures featuring high ceilings. If you are managing a facility with warehouses, commercial bays, or similar large-scale environments, it is crucial to understand exactly which products are involved.
The fixtures at the center of this recall are painted white metal units that measure between 2 feet and 4 feet in length and between 1 foot and 1.5 feet in width. They feature a plastic diffuser lens cover, which helps distribute light evenly across large areas. While they may look like standard commercial lighting at first glance, these specific Metalux OHB models have been identified as posing a significant safety risk due to internal design issues that can lead to overheating. Cooper Lighting has issued this recall for units sold during a specific timeframe, and it is vital to check your inventory against the details below.
To determine if your facility is affected, you need to look closely at the product label located inside the fixture channel cover, behind the tray. You will need to remove two screws to access this label. The key information you are looking for is the catalog number and the date code, which is printed in a two-digit mm/dd/yy format representing the month, day, and year of manufacture. The recall applies to the following specific combinations:
- Catalog Number OHB-60SE: Units with a date code from April 2020 through December 2022.
- Catalog Number OHBL-60SE: Units with a date code from October 2022 through May 15, 2025.
- Catalog Number OHBL-100SE: Units with a date code from October 2022 through May 15, 2025.
If you find any of these catalog numbers paired with the corresponding date codes within your commercial building, you are in possession of a recalled item. The recall does not specify an exact number of units sold globally, but given the widespread use of high bay lighting in industrial settings, it is likely that many facilities across the United States may have these fixtures installed. It is important to note that this recall focuses on products used indoors in commercial structures, so residential installations are not the primary concern here, though owners of mixed-use properties should still verify their inventory.
The scope of this recall is specific to the Metalux brand under Cooper Lighting. While other high bay fixtures may look similar, only those matching the exact catalog numbers and date codes listed above are subject to this mandatory safety action. If you are unsure whether your fixtures fall into these categories, it is better to err on the side of caution and inspect the labels directly. The physical characteristics—white metal paint, specific dimensions, and plastic diffuser—are consistent across the recalled line, but the catalog number and date code are the definitive identifiers.
Understanding what was recalled is the first step in protecting your workplace. By identifying these specific models, you can take immediate action to mitigate risks before they escalate into more serious safety incidents. This recall is not about a minor defect but a potential fire hazard that requires prompt attention from facility managers and building owners alike.
The hazard, explained
When we talk about a fire hazard in an LED light fixture, it is easy to assume that LEDs are inherently "cool" and safe because they do not get as hot as traditional incandescent bulbs. While it is true that LEDs generate less radiant heat than older technologies, they still produce significant amounts of thermal energy that must be managed carefully. In the case of these recalled Metalux Optimized High Bay fixtures, the core issue lies in how that heat is handled internally. The LED board inside the fixture can overheat during normal operation. This is not necessarily a failure of the light to turn on or off, but rather a problem with thermal regulation. If the internal components are not dissipating heat effectively, temperatures can rise well beyond safe operational limits.
The danger escalates when this overheated LED board comes into direct contact with other parts of the fixture itself, specifically the plastic diffuser lens cover. Most consumers might not realize that these clear or frosted covers are made of combustible materials designed to diffuse light, not to withstand high temperatures. When the overheated board touches this plastic, it can begin to melt, deform, or even ignite the material. This creates a direct pathway for fire to start within the fixture.
Furthermore, the risk is compounded if these hot components come into contact with nearby combustible materials in your workspace. High bay lights are typically installed in warehouses, commercial bays, and other industrial structures with high ceilings. These environments often contain boxes, packaging, insulation, or other flammable items stored on shelves or racks below or adjacent to the lighting. If a fixture overheats and emits excessive heat or sparks due to internal electrical faults caused by the thermal stress, it can ignite these nearby materials. This transforms a simple electrical malfunction into a significant property damage and life safety threat.
It is important to understand that this hazard may not present obvious warning signs before it becomes dangerous. The light might continue to function normally for months or even years, drawing power and illuminating the space without any visible flickering or dimming. However, behind the scenes, the thermal stress on the LED board and its connections can persist, gradually degrading materials until a critical failure point is reached. This silent nature of the hazard is why immediate action is necessary upon identification, rather than waiting for a visible problem to appear.
In summary, the physical mechanism of this recall involves a chain reaction: excessive heat generation within the LED board, potential contact with flammable plastic components inside the fixture, and the subsequent risk of igniting surrounding combustible materials in commercial settings. Understanding this process highlights why stopping use immediately is the only safe course of action until a professional repair or replacement is completed.
Who is most at risk
The primary group affected by this recall consists of facility managers, building owners, and maintenance personnel responsible for the upkeep of commercial structures with high ceilings. These include warehouses, industrial bays, large retail spaces, and manufacturing facilities where Metalux Optimized High Bay (OHB) LED light fixtures were installed to provide bright, efficient illumination. Because these lights are designed for overhead mounting in industrial or commercial settings rather than residential homes, the individuals most immediately at risk are those who work within or manage these specific environments. If you oversee a warehouse floor, a distribution center, or a large commercial bay, and your building features white metal light fixtures measuring between two and four feet in length, you likely have one of these recalled units installed above your workspace.
While the physical hazard is an electrical overheating issue that can lead to fire, the people most vulnerable to the consequences are those who spend extended periods in close proximity to these ceiling-mounted units. Unlike a small appliance that might fail in a single room, high bay lights illuminate vast areas. If a fixture’s LED board overheats or comes into contact with its lens or nearby combustible materials, the resulting fire can spread rapidly through the high-ceilinged architecture typical of warehouses and commercial bays. Workers on the ground below may have limited time to react if the fire starts suddenly, especially if the lighting failure occurs during off-hours or in less frequently monitored sections of a large facility.
It is also important to consider the maintenance staff who must interact directly with these fixtures to inspect or remove them. Because the catalog number and date code are hidden behind the tray and require removing two screws from the channel cover to access, anyone performing routine inspections or repairs is at risk of electrical shock if they attempt to handle a faulty unit without proper safety protocols. The hazard here is twofold: the potential for the fixture to ignite while in use, and the risk to technicians who might be working on it when an electrical fault occurs. There is no indication that residential consumers are at risk, as these fixtures are specifically designed for commercial indoor use. However, for those in the commercial sector, the risk is significant because the scale of the installation means a single failure can impact a large area, potentially endangering multiple employees and substantial inventory stored below.
Ultimately, the vulnerability lies not just in who owns the product, but in how it is integrated into high-risk environments. Warehouses often store combustible materials such as cardboard, packaging, and plastics near lighting fixtures. If the recalled OHB-60SE, OHBL-60SE, or OHBL-100SE models are installed near these items, the fire hazard is amplified. Therefore, the most at-risk individuals are those who manage spaces where flammable goods are stored directly beneath or adjacent to these specific high-bay lighting systems.
How to tell if you have the recalled item
Identifying whether your lighting fixture is part of this specific recall requires a bit of patience and a close look at the hardware itself. Because these Metalux Optimized High Bay (OHB) LED light fixtures are designed for commercial environments like warehouses, large retail spaces, or industrial bays with high ceilings, they can sometimes blend into the infrastructure of a building. However, Cooper Lighting has made the identification process straightforward if you know exactly where to look. The most critical step is locating the product label, which contains the essential data points needed to confirm if your unit is affected.
To find this label, you will need to physically access the interior of the fixture channel cover. This usually involves removing two screws that secure the cover in place. Once you have carefully unscrewed and removed the tray or cover, the label will be visible inside the channel. It is important not to rely solely on external markings or the packaging, as those may have been discarded during installation. The information you need is printed directly on this internal label.
On that label, you must verify two specific pieces of information: the Catalog Number and the Date Code. The catalog number identifies the exact model of the fixture, while the date code tells you when it was manufactured. The recall affects three specific catalog numbers, but only if they fall within certain manufacturing windows:
- OHB-60SE: This model is included in the recall if the date code indicates a manufacture date between April 2020 and December 2022.
- OHBL-60SE: This variant is affected if it was manufactured between October 2022 and May 15, 2025.
- OHBL-100SE: Like the OHBL-60SE, this larger model is part of the recall if the date code falls between October 2022 and May 15, 2025.
When checking the date code, note that it is presented in a two-digit mm/dd/yy format. This represents the month, day, and year of production. If your fixture has one of the listed catalog numbers but was manufactured outside of these specific date ranges, it is not part of this recall. Additionally, you can visually confirm the general type of product by checking its physical characteristics. The recalled items are painted white metal fixtures that typically measure between 2 feet and 4 feet in length, and between 1 foot and 1.5 feet in width. They feature a plastic diffuser lens cover on the front. If your light fixture matches these dimensions and color but does not have one of the specific catalog numbers listed above with the corresponding date codes, it is likely safe from this particular issue.
What to do — step by step
If you suspect you have one of the recalled Metalux Optimized High Bay LED light fixtures, your immediate priority is safety. The CPSC and Cooper Lighting have identified a serious fire hazard caused by potential overheating of the LED board or contact with combustible materials. Therefore, the very first thing you must do is stop using the recalled light fixtures immediately. Do not wait for a repair appointment to arrive before taking this action. Leaving these units powered on continues to pose a risk to your property and the people who work in or visit those spaces. Simply turning off the switch at the wall may not be sufficient if the fixture is hardwired; if you are unsure how to safely disconnect power, consult a qualified electrician.
Once the fixture is safely powered down, your next step is to register the product and schedule your remedy through Cooper Lighting’s dedicated recall portal. You can do this by visiting www.content.cooperlighting.com/ohb-recall. This website serves as the central hub for managing this specific recall event. On this page, you will be asked to complete a form to register your light fixtures. This step is crucial because it allows Cooper Lighting to verify that your unit falls within the affected date ranges and catalog numbers. It also initiates the process for scheduling a free repair or replacement. Please ensure you have your product label information ready before you start, as you will need to enter specific details from that label.
While filling out the online form, you will need to locate the catalog number and date code printed on the product label inside the fixture channel cover. To access this label, you must remove two screws behind the tray. The date code is formatted as a two-digit mm/dd/yy sequence, representing the month, day, and year of manufacture. Cooper Lighting has specified that units with the following catalog numbers are subject to recall if manufactured within these specific windows:
- OHB-60SE: Manufactured between April 2020 and December 2022.
- OHBL-60SE: Manufactured between October 2022 and May 15, 2025.
- OHBL-100SE: Manufactured between October 2022 and May 15, 2025.
After you submit your registration form, Cooper Lighting will contact you to schedule the next steps. They have committed to providing a free repair or replacement for eligible units. Do not attempt to fix the overheating issue yourself by opening the fixture or modifying the components, as this could void any warranty coverage or create additional electrical hazards. Let the manufacturer handle the technical resolution. If you encounter any issues with the website or need further assistance, refer to the contact information provided on the recall page for direct support from Cooper Lighting.
Your refund, repair, or replacement options
If you discover that your Metalux Optimized High Bay LED light fixture is part of this recall, the good news is that Cooper Lighting has established a straightforward and cost-free remedy to address the safety concern. The company is not asking you to bear any financial burden for correcting the issue. Instead, they are offering two primary paths forward: a free repair or a full replacement of the affected unit. This approach is designed to ensure that the fire hazard associated with the LED board overheating or contacting the lens is eliminated without causing you unnecessary expense or inconvenience.
To initiate this process, you must first register your product and schedule your service through Cooper Lighting’s dedicated recall portal. The official website for this procedure is www.content.cooperlighting.com/ohb-recall. This digital platform serves as the central hub for managing claims, allowing you to provide the necessary details about your specific fixture so that a technician can be dispatched or a replacement unit can be prepared and shipped to you.
When you visit the registration page, you will be prompted to complete a form with specific information about your light fixture. It is crucial that you have your product label ready while filling out this form. As noted in the recall description, the catalog number and date code are located on the product label inside the fixture channel cover, behind the tray. You can access this label by removing two screws from the cover. The date code is formatted as mm/dd/yy, representing the month, day, and year of manufacture. Providing accurate data from this label ensures that Cooper Lighting can verify your unit against their recall list for the specific models and date ranges involved.
The recall specifically targets Metalux Optimized High Bay (OHB) LED fixtures used in commercial structures with high ceilings, such as warehouses. The affected catalog numbers include OHB-60SE with a date code from April 2020 through December 2022, as well as the OHBL-60SE and OHBL-100SE models with date codes from October 2022 through May 15, 2025. Once you have submitted your registration form on the website, Cooper Lighting will review your information and coordinate the next steps. Whether they choose to repair the existing fixture by addressing the overheating LED board or replace it entirely with a safe, updated unit, the service remains free of charge. Do not attempt to fix the issue yourself before contacting them, as improper handling could void the remedy or create additional safety risks.
What can happen if you ignore it
It is completely understandable why you might hesitate to stop using these Cooper Lighting Metalux Optimized High Bay fixtures. In a warehouse or commercial bay, these lights are often the primary source of illumination for critical work areas. Turning them off feels like an inconvenience, and the thought of navigating a repair process can seem daunting when you are busy managing daily operations. However, ignoring this recall is not merely a matter of waiting out a minor glitch; it is allowing a genuine fire hazard to remain active in your space. The risk is not theoretical—it is rooted in the specific physical design flaws identified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The core issue lies in how the light fixtures manage heat. These LED boards can overheat during normal operation, or they may come into direct contact with the plastic diffuser lens or nearby combustible materials. When an electrical component designed to stay cool begins to generate excessive heat, that energy does not simply disappear. Instead, it builds up within the fixture’s housing. If this heat is trapped against a plastic lens cover, the material can begin to soften, warp, or even melt. This degradation of the plastic components is often the first visible sign of trouble, but it is also the precursor to more severe outcomes.
If the overheating continues unchecked, the risk escalates rapidly. Plastic that has been compromised by high temperatures becomes highly flammable. Furthermore, if the fixture is installed in a typical commercial environment—where there may be storage racks, packaging materials, or structural elements nearby—the heat can transfer to these combustible surfaces. This creates a pathway for ignition. A fire starting inside a light fixture is particularly dangerous because it can spread quickly through ceiling spaces and electrical conduits before anyone notices smoke or flames. The result is not just the loss of lighting; it is the potential for significant property damage, business interruption, and, most critically, serious injury or loss of life to employees and visitors.
You might wonder if this is an exaggeration, but the CPSC does not issue recalls like this without cause. The designation of a "fire hazard" means that the probability of ignition has been deemed unacceptable by safety experts. By continuing to use these fixtures, you are essentially gambling with that probability. There is no middle ground where a faulty electrical board becomes safe over time; in fact, the condition typically worsens as components age and heat cycles repeat. The only way to eliminate this risk is to remove the hazard entirely through the free repair or replacement offered by Cooper Lighting. Delaying this action does not make the problem go away—it only gives it more time to cause damage.
Think of this recall not as a bureaucratic hurdle, but as a protective measure. The inconvenience of scheduling a repair is temporary and manageable, especially since Cooper Lighting is covering all costs. On the other hand, the consequences of ignoring the recall are permanent and potentially catastrophic. You do not need to wait for a spark or a smell of burning plastic to realize that action is needed. Taking steps now ensures that your facility remains safe, compliant, and secure against preventable disasters.