Every manufacturer has to be totally and fully responsible, for the
safe and required functioning of the product. The
quality and safety parameters, which the product must meet, should be clearly stated by the manufacturer. It is his responsibility to satisfy the user in this respect, and to resolve all matters like, unsafe or poor or unsatisfactory functioning of the product, damage to the equipment, or injury to the user due to the product, during the specified period, suitably. This must be in addition to, using such cases as feedback, for improvements for future. Legally it is his liability. This book has fifteen Chapters, and six appendices, in which various aspects of this subject have been discussed. Emphasis should be laid on the need for education and training programmes, for product liability prevention, so as to minimize the risk of product liability claims. There are some broad areas of such programmes, the first one of which is Product safety policy. Quality management system is the next, to play a major role in this respect, so that the quality systems can be modified, and extended suitably. Another important aspect is the design function, which focuses on design for use, with particular emphasis on the product-use interface. This is followed by production and distribution. Generally there are difficulties at the prototype or pilot stage, and it is dangerous to rush through this phase. Product safety should be evaluated through techniques such as, Design review, Hazards analysis, Fault tree analysis, Failure modes effects analysis. Above all are the precautionary measures, which aim to minimize the degradation of designed-in safety levels in manufacturing, in spite of problems which arise in manufacturing, and maintaining of design integrity.
However, stress should also be laid, on market feedback, since marketing personnel and their associated field staff, can play a vital role in anticipating problems, before they become claims. Carrying out of audit and keeping appropriate records, are necessary to provide proof that the manufacturer took all necessary precautions, to ensure that the product was safe, and as per requirements. No product liability prevention programme can be complete, without guidance on insurance, and treatment of claims, for which educational training and key role of the quality function, need to be re-emphasized. We all must be aware of the actual extent, to which insurance, claims and recall are applicable in case of non-performance and unsafe conditions, during use of products. This awareness will be useful to everyone, and thus reduce unsafe and malfunctioning considerably. This book is useful for manufacturers, consumers and professionals dealing with products etc.