TheNational Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors(Columbus, OH) announced that the total number of accidents involving boilers and unfired pressure vessels increased dramatically last year. A comparison of the Year 2000 report with the 1999 report indicated a 24% increase in the total number of accidents, from 2,163 in 1999 to 2,686 in 2000. More than 87% of 2000's reported incidents were directly attributable to human error (i.e., operator error or poor maintenance, low-water conditions, improper repair or installation, and faulty design or fabrication). The report also indicated a 33% decrease in the number of fatalities, with 14 deaths in 2000 compared with 21 deaths in 1999.