1.9.2 Health and safety in products

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Risk assessment continued...

You should also be familiar with the concept of risk assessment which can be applied to both the design and manufacture of products. The outcome can affect the appearance, finish, materials, components and function of the product. Below is an example of a product risk analysis for a child’s toy.

Safety in products and services

Designers and manufacturers need to consider the safety of the users of their products, and should ensue that the product is safe to use.

To help protect the user, many products have specific legislation and standards that the designer must meet. These requirements ensure that the product is fit for purpose, is safe to use, and is less likely to be returned to the seller. Faulty goods will have a negative impact on the manufacturer’s reputation and cost them, and retailers, in terms of loss of revenue.

The Consumer Protection Act 1987

The Consumer Protection Act 1987 is designed to safeguard consumers from products that do not reach a reasonable level of safety, and give them rights when buying goods and services.

The act aims to protect consumers in the following way:

product liability: if the product is defective and causes injury, the manufacturer will be held responsible.
general safety requirements: all domestic goods must be safe to use
price indications: this prohibits sellers giving consumers misleading price indication such as in an advertisement, price ticket or price comparison

To ensure products are safe, manufacturers should:

warn consumers about potential risks
provide information to help consumers understand risks
monitor the safety of products
take action if a safety problem is found (a product recall for example)

Trade Descriptions Act 1968

The trades despcription act makes it an offence for a trader to make or apply false or misleading statements about goods or services.

Under the act, it is an offence to apply a false statement about a product or to supply goods that have a false statement.

British standard institute (BSI)

Kite mark

The British Standards Institute was formed in 1901 and was the first national standards body. Products tested that meet the various British Standards are awarded the Kite Mark which is one of the most recognized symbols of quality in the world.

This institute has produced an extensive range of standards that certain products must meet before they can be sold within the UK but BSI also represents the UK in European (CEN) and International (ISO) standards.

Companies can pay to have their products tested against national or international standards and, if they meet the standards, they can be awarded the BSI Kitemark. The company is then issued a license to use the kitemark on its products and this symbol of quality helps to assure consumers that they are buying a safe and consistent product.

CE Mark

Another standard is the CE mark, or formerly EC mark. It is a mandatory conformity marking for certain products sold within the European Economic Area (EEA) since 1985. The CE marking is also found on products sold outside the EEA that are manufactured in, or designed to be sold in, the EEA. It consists of the CE logo and, if applicable, the four digit identification number of the notified body involved in the conformity assessment procedure.

The CE marking is the manufacturer's declaration that the product meets the requirements of the applicable CE directives.

Other european safety standards

There are many european and international safety standards that influence the safety measures that designers and manufacturers have to adhere to when developing new products.

For example toys must meet the European Community Directive 88/378 and Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 as well as BS EN 71. Toys meeting these standards would be labelled with the CE and the BSI Kitemark but may also have other safety marks on them such as those on the right.

Customer advice

Consumers who want a product that will be safe and fit for purpose should look for recognized symbols such as the BSI Kite Mark. This proves that the manufacturer has taken steps to ensure the product has been checked, tested and inspected to meet the recognized industry standards.

Manufacturers need to provide safety warnings and instructions as well as informing customers of how to care for the product during its life, any warranties and services and environmental information such as energy ratings.

In recent years this information has extended to cover cleaning, maintenance and safe disposal of products.

Case Study

3 Pin Plug

A standard UK 3 pin plug is packed with safety features:

colour coded wires
card label with wiring diagram
fitted fuse
longer earth pin
plastic shield on live and neutral pins
cable clamps
Urea Formaldehyde casing
BSI mark
moulded pre fitted plugs

This is a new type of flat 3 pin plug that uses the same safety features while adding in more functionality. Despite a radical redesign it still meets the BSI standard for a UK 3 pin plug.

Safety standards

Safety features in a hedge trimmer

These include two handed operation and safety guard to protect hands, heavy duty cable or battery power for greater freedom of movement as well reduced risk of electrocution. You would also expect emergency cut off in the case of electric surge or exposure to water.

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Prep 32

Exam Question:

Examine (analyse) a consumer product of your choice, considering its design features and materials in the context of consumer safety. Discuss how the design addresses potential hazards and adheres to relevant safety standards. Additionally, evaluate the effectiveness of any safety mechanisms implemented and suggest possible improvements for enhancing the overall safety of the product. Ensure your analysis includes reference to risk assessment and mitigation strategies.

You should include images of your chosen product in your answer.