U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable EnergyFederal Energy Management Program – Operations and MaintenanceBoiler Safety IssuesBoiler safety is a key objective of the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors. This organization tracks and reports on boiler safety and "incidents" related to boilers and pressure vessels that occur each year. The figure above details the 1999 boiler incidents by major category. It is important to note that the number one incident category resulting in injury was poor maintenance or operator error. Furthermore, statistics tracking loss-of-life incidents reported that in 1999, three of seven boiler-related deaths were attributed to poor maintenance or operator error. The point of relaying this information is to suggest that through proper maintenance and operator training these incidents may be reduced.  |