In our Forensic Engineering work, Warnings are routinely analyzed, particularly relative to Safeguards, whether present or not. Safeguards and Warnings are closely related, but generally used for different conditions. The safety requirements for Warnings and/or Safeguards are used to determine whether there is a need for Warnings and/or Safeguards, and to determine whether Warnings and/or Safeguards, if present, meet the needs for safety. If a requirement for Warnings or Safeguarding is determined to exist, the analysis includes determining whether either Warnings or Safeguards are the correct choice for safety, or if both should be provided.

Warnings may be written, whether in a manual or other document or on a sign, or auditory, such as bells and sirens, and non-written visual, such as flashing lights or lights of a particular color. Warnings may combine more than one of these techniques in a single warning. Warnings are provided specifically to inform persons of a hazard. Warnings should do this in such a fashion that that person has the knowledge to avoid encountering the hazard,and also understands the level of criticality associated with the hazard.

Our work with Warnings includes engineering analysis to determine the adequacy of the Warnings used in industrial and commercial operations and construction activities, and used with consumer products and industrial and commercial equipment. The purpose of this work is to determine whether these Warnings were designed and used in a manner that would assist persons in the safe use of these items and in these activities, and to what extent these Warnings would provide assistance. The purpose of this work is also to determine whether the Warnings were chosen according to the requirements of the Safety Design Hierarchy, and the Warnings, and their use, met the requirements of applicable Codes, Standards and Recommended Practices.

Residential, commercial, industrial, manufacturing and construction equipment, and components associated with this equipment, and associated facilities, are analyzed for the need and correct application of Warnings. This analysis includes consideration of the role that Safeguards might also serve for the installations analyzed. 

Consumer products and residential, commercial and industrial facilities, considered separately from equipment, are also analyzed for the need and correct application of Warnings. This analysis includes consideration of the role that Safeguards might also serve for the installations analyzed. 

The use of Warnings is based on knowledge from Human Factors and is a requirement in Safety Design. Warnings are enshrined in many generally accepted Codes, Standards and Recommended Practices. Warnings and Safeguards are used in prescribed manners related to the safety of the use of one or the other in particular circumstances. These subject areas are all closely related.

The use of Warnings is based on the knowledge from Human Factors and is an integral part of Safety Design. There is a long history of use of Warnings, and many Warnings that are routinely used have a history in use in various particular circumstances. Warnings are among other safety components enshrined in generally accepted Codes, Standards and Recommended Practices. 

The choice of Warnings as the design solution to safety hazards is based on the principles of the Safety Design and particularly the Safety Design Hierarchy, which is the accepted system for design of safe equipment, systems, products and facilities. The Safety Design Hierarchy requires that safety hazards be designed out of the equipment, products and facilities when possible. The Safety Design Hierarchy also requires that if the hazards cannot be designed out, safeguards are to be used to protect against the hazards if this is possible. Only if hazards cannot be designed out and Safeguards are not possible are Warnings used as the sole response to hazards, to warn of the hazards.  

In particular the Safety Design Hierarchy requires that Warnings not be used in place of designing out hazards or using Safeguards if designing out hazards is possible or Safeguards will protect against the hazard. If Safeguards will protect against the hazards, Warnings are often required as an adjunct to the Safeguards, not as a substitute for Safeguards. Safeguards and Warnings are not interchangeable. 

> as an integral part of the forensic engineering work for over 30 years:

    >  routinely analyze Warnings and the related Safeguards, and the requirements for Safeguards and Warnings, often performing engineering analyses to determine whether there is a need for Safeguards and/or Warnings, and to determine whether Safeguards and/or Warnings which are present meet the needs for safety, and whether whichever one was chosen was the correct choice for safety

     >  routinely use Human Factors and Safety Design principles, the bases for Warnings, in engineering analysis of accidents, and equipment and facilities involved in accidents

    >  routinely use and interpret Codes and Standards and Recommended Practices, including requirements in these Codes and Standards for Warnings

>  took college coursework in Engineering and Normal Psychology, which are the bases of Human Factors and Safety Design, which in turn are the bases for Warnings

>  acquired personal knowledge of the use of Warnings in practice while working in industrial facilities, for 1-1/2 years full time and then at a number of times over the following 15-1/2 years during shorter work periods at industrial facilities, up to 3 months at a time

>  during 17 years working in industrial operations and design engineering, as an integral part of engineering design:

    >  analyzed and extensively used Safeguards and Warnings 

    >  extensively used and interpreted Codes and Standards and Recommended Practices, including requirements in these Codes and Standards for Warnings

    >  extensively used Human Factors and Safety Design, the bases for Warnings

>  two earned Engineering degrees, Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering 

>  post-degrees college credit coursework, short courses and seminars on technical subjects over the years 

>  Professional Engineers (P.E.) license (earned by examination)

>  Diplomate Forensic Engineer designation, granted for meeting the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards requirements for Forensic Engineering

>  over 40 years of engineering experience, with: 

   >  17 years experience in industrial operations,  engineering design and construction assistance