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That's exactly what I've learned from the responses I've received. I don't
yet know who the potential client is, except that their product is related
to safety on construction sites. I suspect that they are somewhat ignorant
when it comes to the role of a technical writer. I worked for a local
electronics manufacturer and the information regarding electrical safety
came from a compliance engineer. All I did was add it to the front matter of
the manual and apply the formatting. For content, the manuals were always
reviewed by SMEs wherever I worked.
Thanks to everyone for their responses. I now have a much clearer idea of
how to respond to this question.
> Kathleen MacDowell observed:
>>
>> I'd check with them to clarify what they are thinking about,
>> especially
>> their worst case scenario.
>>
>> In every situation I've worked where there was a real risk
>> (here in the
>> states), the company had engineers, a safety committee,
>> and/or lawyers who
>> vetted the content. In my experience, tech writers look for
>> areas where
>> people should be warned, help word the warnings and make sure
>> descriptions
>> are complete, but I've never heard of a tech writer being
>> responsible for
>> the legal aspect. Perhaps some are, though, especially if
>> they started from
>> the tech side.
>>
>> I'm not a safety specialist and don't have UL certification
>> or training. I
>> wonder how many tech writers do, especially independents.
>> Sounds like it
>> would be a highly specialized field, and the liability
>> insurance would be
>> incredibly expensive.
>
> That would also make the specialized, insured writer's fees incredibly
> high, of necessity. So that should be Gérald's cue
> to ask the company why they would want (or expect) to need more of such
> qualified people than they currently require - and presumably have on
> payroll or retainer - for other compliance/certification reasons.
> Document liability doesn't occur in a vacuum.
>
> Either they've got people on staff whose job it is to vet every aspect of
> their project/product, including the docs provided by
> Gérald-the-contract-writer, or they don't. But then they have to hire
> someone for all the other compliance and verification - either as staff or
> contractor or external service company, so they still don't need Gérald to
> hold such expensive qualifications (for which he would need to charge
> expensively).
>
> Besides, in cases where liability rears its ugly head, it's _always_
> better to have other pairs of experienced and qualified eyes review the
> docs. Do I hear an "amen" from all the editors and engineers on the list?
>
> - Kevin
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