Introduction

Not enough of those in the pressure equipment industry are taking the time or effort to read between the lines: that is to more fully appreciate the safety message's true dynamic. BLOWBACK was written to connect the dots between industrial-sized pressure vessels and pressure-retaining items everyone is exposed to everyday.

More important, BLOWBACK explains the significant impact pressure equipment has on our daily lives by providing examples of common pressure-retaining items many would not identify as such. Yet the public remains indifferent to the potential dangers. Indeed, few can even describe the function of a pressure vessel, let alone point to one.

This presentation underscores the need for vigilance by providing case histories and examples that are both educational and sometimes shocking. Communicating the importance of pressure equipment safety begins with educating our younger generations. And it is imperative our industry communicate to the general public that codes, regulations, and inspections work. If we fail, North America could revert to third world status where laws are nonexistent, casually enforced, or are of low priority. It should become the priority of everyone in industry to remove the limits that prevent our jurisdictions from effectively doing their jobs. To paraphrase Mark Twain: It's not what you don't know that can kill you. It's what you think you know that isn't so…

BLOWBACK addresses examples of incidents involving pressure equipment and what can go terribly wrong without proper vigilance.

Many of you have heard the phrase "reading between the lines." Unfortunately, not enough of us are taking the time or effort to read between the lines; that is, more fully appreciating the true dynamic of the safety process. My point is that if those close to us don't know what we do, how can we expect the general public? Why should we care about the general public? Why should the general public care about what we do? The answer: safety. When it comes to safety, we are all stakeholders! It is you, safety engineers of the world, who are in a unique position to impact public wellbeing. It is my hope most, if not all, of you will leave here this afternoon with a renewed urgency for spreading the gospel of safety. Accidents involving pressure-retaining items happen every day. But how many of us make the connection to the impact on daily life? Sometimes we fail to observe the subtlety of what goes on around us – the details. Let me give you an example.

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