Richard,
Thank you for your ongoing comments on this situation.
This issue is mixed between the technical and legal communities. In
the US, there have been a number of cases lost where sufficient information
was not given to the user on the equipment and the user was seriously hurt
or killed. Because of this outcome, it is incumbent upon manufacturers who
provide products in the US to provide proper hazard markings. This includes
hazard markings on farm machinery written in both English and Spanish here.
The US ANSI Z535 standards recognize the use of symbols in
conjunction with the written message as the basis for US markings. This is
the standard that manufacturers will be held to in the US.
Certainly providing a hazard marking that combines the symbol with
the written explanation begins the education process. The symbol means
exactly what the language expresses. In a generation or so there will be a
common understanding of the symbol. Certainly the octagonal STOP sign seems
to have gained worldwide recognition, I remember when some countries used a
different sign, but have now changed; many are using the English word STOP
on the sign as well, altho it is not a native word in their language.
I understand the frustration of international/multinational
companies who are trying to provide a single product into every market but
it is not yet possible without some additional effort in communicating with
customers in their cultural context - including their local language.
So, I am not opposed to moving toward symbols, but believe that we
need to continue the language markings for some time to come.
br, Pete
Peter E Perkins, PE
Principal Product Safety Consultant
Tigard, ORe 97281-3427
503/452-1201 fone/fax
p.perk...@ieee.org
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