ABSTRACT
The general understanding of a 'product ' is a manufactured item, useful to a person for a purpose. Because products are directly used by people , any hazards or risks associated with the product usage would give rise to concern for the safety of users . There is therefore a requirement to minimise the hazards and risks of product use, which is embodied in various UK regulations such as the General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR), 1 994 (Department of Trade and Industry, 1 994) and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regula tions , 1992 (Health and Safety Executive, 1 992) . There is similar concern whether the product is provided for use by employees or is sold to a consumer for domestic use; whether the product will be used by one individual or several; and whether the product is to be used in a fixed position or moved around. Producers and suppliers have responsibility to provide a product that must, as far as possible , be safe.
