Hi Brian.
I'd agree with the gist of Oscar's comments. To paraphrase Scott Adams
(creator of Dilbert) - everyone is an idiot for at least part of each day.
I'd also like to add though, that even if the people you expect to have
fitting the components are technically competent, I'd say there's still a
pretty good chance that occasionally one of these people will act without
thinking or slip and bump or touch something they shouldn't. So at the very
least, I'd advise trying to ensure that not only after the assembly
process, but also during the assembly process you take steps to protect
them from any potential safety hazards.
In some cases all you can reasonably do is provide adequate warnings (like
turn the damn power off before you install the new component in the
machine), but often a little thought about this sort of thing during the
design can make components safer to install and use.
Although you have to consider the commercial aspects of added costs,
remember that the person who's fingers or eyes or life you save might turn
out to be someone important to you.
Regards,
Pete.
At 02:54 AM 3/11/2000, Brian Harlowe wrote:
Hi Everybody
A general question. Our company manufactures High tech
Scientific Instruments. We also sell component parts for customers to fit to
these instruments which we generally allow the users to fit and connect up.
I would appreciate the groups comments on how "safe" we have to make this
sort of item. Bearing in mind this is sold to customers with technical
knowledge and in some cases electrical competence. Not members of the
general public!
We also supply a detailed set of instructions and in some cases we only
provide setting up information on reciept of a declaration of competence
As I say I would be interested in the groups comments on this both for
Europe and North America
Brian Harlowe
Thermo V.G. Scientific
Tel +44 (0)1342 327211
Fax +44 (0)1342 315074
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