|
Warnings and
Instructions
Warnings and
instructions are
often key
elements in
product safety
or usability. A
good warning
typically
involves four
elements: an
alerting word
such as Caution,
Warning, or
Danger; an
identification
of the hazard;
potential
consequences of
not avoiding the
hazard; and
directions on
what to do to
avoid the
hazard. In some
cases, some or
all of these
elements may be
unnecessary;
knowing when is
often a key
factor. It is
also often
critical to know
how and when
users respond to
warnings; the
presence of a
warning that is
routinely
ignored by users
does not
necessarily make
a product
“safer” and its
absence is
unlikely to make
it more
“hazardous”.
Instructions are
often valuable
sources of
information to
make a product
user aware of
the proper or
appropriate way
of using of a
particular piece
of equipment.
Unfortunately,
users often
ignore such
instructions,
assuming that
their current
understanding of
the product is
high enough that
no additional
information is
necessary.
Unsurprisingly,
such assumptions
often result in
accidents.
Ineffective or
confusing
instructions, on
the other hand,
can serve to
increase the
likelihood of
unsafe behavior
on the part of
users. Knowing
how to develop,
write and test
instructions is
sometimes a key
element in
product safety.
|
|