Brian, If the system has low levels of energy that present low levels of risk then you don't have to take matters as seriously. However, if you have high levels of energy then you must take every effort to ensure a safe installation. (Energy sources include mechanical, electrical, thermal, chemical, etc.)
The human element is the weakest link in any chain. It is fine to have "technical people" to fit the equipment. I would recommend, however, that there not be any "significant" risk exposed to the person doing the installing. You have to make the installation process as "fool proof" as possible regardless of the level of personnel in your audience. (Realizing that nothing is fool proof as fools are so ingenious.) Multiple cables must not be able to be interchanged. If something is hard to completely attach, it will only be partially attached. The more parts to attach, the more parts will be left over after the job is "complete". Things that must be aligned must have sufficient guide pins, or comparable alignment device, to eliminate (as much as possible) the chance of misalignment. Liquid or gas fittings must be easy fitting and not require special torque or be sensitive to tightness. Pressure lines must include proper over-pressure protection if they are to be installed. You have to look at the assembly process with a very jaundiced eye. Anything that can possibly be mis-installed, will be mis-installed. You cannot rely on written procedures to ensure proper installation. If something is safety critical, you cannot rely on the human to do it. The assembly process must automatically take care of the safety critical elements. I know this sounds very negative but that is because it is. Just to reiterate -- humans are inherently unreliable. Have a nice day!! Oscar brian.harlowe%[email protected] on 11/02/2000 11:54:15 AM Please respond to brian.harlowe%[email protected] To: emc-pstc%[email protected] cc: (bcc: Oscar Overton/Lex/Lexmark) Subject: Safety of Add on components 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 ------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list. To cancel your subscription, send mail to: [email protected] with the single line: unsubscribe emc-pstc For help, send mail to the list administrators: Jim Bacher: [email protected] Michael Garretson: [email protected] For policy questions, send mail to: Richard Nute: [email protected] ------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list. To cancel your subscription, send mail to: [email protected] with the single line: unsubscribe emc-pstc For help, send mail to the list administrators: Jim Bacher: [email protected] Michael Garretson: [email protected] For policy questions, send mail to: Richard Nute: [email protected]
