CEMA Meeting Includes Product Liability Program

Published: May 02, 2006, By pffc-online.com

PRESS RELEASE

CEMA, the Converting Equipment Manufacturers Assn., has focused its annual meeting—taking place May 10, 2006—on bringing together some of the top experts in the OEM converting field to address the current laws and practices that are a must know for all equipment manufacturers.

Systematically incorporating hazard analysis and risk reduction into a machinery manufacturer's and user's everyday business practices can improve product quality, make product offerings more competitive, reduce product claim expenses that improve the bottom line, and reduce your legal risk profile. The program's panel will explain the business and legal rationale for incorporating risk assessment practices into your company's management program. Updates on machinery safety standards and ANSI Z535 standards will be presented.

Programs and speakers on the agenda include:

• "The Importance of Formalized Hazard Analysis, Risk Assessment, and Risk Reduction to the Manufacturer and the Equipment;" Fred Hayes, technical director, Packaging Machinery Mfrs. Inst. (PMMI)
• "Standards, Hazard Analysis, and Risk Assessment in the Courtroom;" William O. "Skip" Martin, Esq., partner, Haight Brown & Bonesteel LLP
• "Current Developments in the ANSI Z535 Safety Label Standards and International Harmonization;" Jerry Reganess, standards compliance manager, Hazard Communications Systesm
• "Tying it All Together: What Product Liability Law Expects From Product Sellers; Do These Standards Help the Seller Meet Those Expectations;" J.K. Leonard, partner, Ball & Weed, P.C., president, American Law Frim Assn.