The Engineer’s Responsibility for Product Safety

Abstract

The most effective way in which the engineer can fulfill his responsibility in the field of product design and product safety is to have a secure command of the engineering fundamentals in general, and to possess the expertise of performance in his specific field of practice. This will enable him to design products which will perform in such a manner that the health and welfare of the user specifically, and society in general, is better protected. Toward this end, it is essential to realize that the engineer’s authority is proportionally limited to his responsibility as a member of the team which introduces a product into the market place. It is important that the engineer’s contribution to product safety be evaluated objectively and possible steps for improvement be taken from a realistic level; there is little use in discussing unachievable, idealistic goals which are built on wishful thinking.