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I had a coworker discover that the purge line to a 3400 psi anhydrous HCL had not been reattached to a new cylinder when he turned it on in the morning.

3400 psi of HCL dumped into his face.

With more presence of mind that I would have ever credited him with, he slammed the valve shut, and managed to get the door to the gas room open and stumble out into fab before he collapsed.

I missed all the excitement, the place sucked so bad I was out on an interview that day.

The upshot?

Corporate in NY sent a senior safety officer to talk to us.

• Be careful. If you get killed it could cost the company $50,000, and if -God forbid- you get injured it could cost the company $500,000.
• We're not going to teach you first aid because that would take too long. (I very nearly slapped my Red Cross First Aid instructor's card on the table).
• We're locking up the Scott Airpacks.
• Call the ERT and they'll take care of everything. (They were called, and showed up half an hour later)

The message came through loud and clear.

My interview produced a good job offer, which didn't require a second's thought to accept.

And Bruce? I lost touch with the people at that company, but years later I saw him jogging while coming back from my first day's lunch at yet another company, Hughes Newport Beach, my first day there, his last, didn't get to do much catching up, but it was good to see him alive and well!