>The whole problem is that I don't recognize your right to decide for others what "causes harm" and what "reasonable mitigation" looks like. Actually, that is

>The whole problem is that I don't recognize your right to decide for others what "causes harm" and what "reasonable mitigation" looks like. Actually, that is the whole problem for you. Improving product safety is a time tested, production proven high value add to our lives, and that is true whether you personally recognize that value or not. We call for change when kids get hurt because kids getting hurt is very highly undesirable. Same goes for people in general. Secondly, the product motive works great for cost reduction and margin. It does not work so great when we are discussing safety. There are global, widely recognized standards for safety. They exist because when we do not do that the products end up unsafe because unsafe products are almost always cheaper and people, particularly given these economic times, will favor less expensive products. Nearly all of them say the same things too: "It won't happen to us" "We can be more careful" "We are careful, it will be fine" And on it goes. Fact is people get tired, they forget, they are not perfect, and shit happens. Where the consequences being life changing, or ending can be avoided, the world is a better place. And the vast majority are going to take the better world deal hands down. That is reality. For those of us who feel differently, there are options: Remove the safeties and live how you want. Think it through. Personal responsibility right? Build your own. Same deal, right? Restore old gear. Like it or not, business operates under license, and the terms include following the law, and that comes with liability. It comes with that liability because there would be unbelievable carnage without it. Why? Because when we do not make it otherwise, making money is the priority, not safety, just money no matter what anyone actually says. And that is just fine! We set a reasonable floor, and everyone gets after their share, and we do not harm untold numbers of people in the process. By the way, one difference between an actual professional engineer and a designer is being unwilling to sign off on something like this. Had that product been reviewed, it would very likely not been signed off. Or, who ever did just put their license on the line hard. Designers do not have the same qualifications. Where threat of harm is well known, we require engineering review and a lot of regulations. This kind of thing is why. Too much of it happening with exercise equipment and it will end up required just like every other dangerous thing currently is. For a great example of build your own, see experimental aircraft. If it is made for others, it is regulated as we all know. Build your own and you and yours you take off with experience personal responsibility directly.