Operator's manuals as prevention design control

Ram001

Registered
I recently found the site and have been enjoying the different discussions. I hope the questions isn't too obvious, but I have questions regarding using operator's manuals, instruction manuals, etc. as design control prevention.

For example: The use of safety decals on products is important to users to warn them against hazards, and while they are designed to withstand water they are not always able to withstand power washing. Is instructing the user against power washing on an operator's manual enough as a prevention measure? While the spirit of the dfmea is to improve the design (by select materials that can withstand power washing?) it isn't always practicable?

Any point of view is appreciated.

Kind regards,
 

Jen Kirley

Quality and Auditing Expert
Leader
Admin
Welcome to The Cove, Ram001!

Manuals are a type of documented information, perfectly acceptable as documents of external origin but I don't see how they can serve as design control prevention. Prevention is about "designing away the risk" which is engineering. The Operators Manuals inform personnel but do not by themselves prevent anything because people still must do as the manuals advise.

Does this make sense?
 
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