Just Pay Attention

NoSmoke · Post by **NoSmoke** » Sat. Mar. 29, 2014 8:15 pm

I just got word that I need to be praying for a friend that I went to high school with, and who goes to our church. He is a Heating Tech and today was moving a large boiler for an installation when a piece of rigging broke and crushed him under the load. As I am writing this, he is in intensive care on a ventilator and not expected to live through the night.

This guy has a few young kids, a wife and 20 years of experience as a boiler tech and even more in the industry as his family has been in the heating industry for years here., so he is a not a novice...he lives and breathes heating units so it was surprising he got injured so bad.

This is really disturbing for me as after a 2 year search for the perfect boiler (that is, the right priced one), my father are going to pick up my boiler tomorrow! We'll have to pay attention when we drag her home, but really this incident with my friends shows that none of us, experienced or inexperienced alike can get complacent with these big heavy boilers and stoves when we are moving them.

Just a sad reminder.

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Sat. Mar. 29, 2014 8:20 pm

How terrible! Prayers sent

samhill · Post by **samhill** » Sat. Mar. 29, 2014 9:39 pm

Thoughts & prayers for your friend as well NS, my first papers were that of a rigger & there is always a danger present. As my wife always reminds me from the day we are born & take that first breath we only have X amount left so make everyone count, love, laugh & live life as there is no tomorrow for this breath my well be the last. I never give up on modern medicine & human nature.

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Sat. Mar. 29, 2014 11:19 pm

I hear ya...
Working in a resturant kitchen...
the hardest lesson to learn is...
let the sharp knife fall...
The body will lose if you try to catch it...
Mr Murphy is always at work...
always have more than one way out...
When in doubt double the chain or halve the distance...
I hope and pray your friend recovers...

blrman07 · Post by **blrman07** » Sun. Mar. 30, 2014 12:21 am

So sorry to hear about your friend. We never know the day or the time when our soul will be required of us. Live each day to the fullest because you never know when it might be your last. Never let a day go by without telling your beloveds that you love them because you may not get another chance. Life is too short and precious to live it even one day holding a grudge or harboring any hatred for anyone.

Rev. Larry
New Beginning Church
Ashland Pa.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sun. Mar. 30, 2014 4:20 am

Prayers to your buddy NS.--AND--be careful today!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Freddy · Post by **Freddy** » Sun. Mar. 30, 2014 4:46 am

Oh, gosh....I'm so sorry to hear this sad news. My thoughts and prayers go out to him & his family. I hope you hold up OK too.

NoSmoke · Post by **NoSmoke** » Sun. Mar. 30, 2014 7:17 am

Thanks for the prayers and well wishes over this weird accident. It is rather strange to know such a healthy young fella to be injured so bad by a falling boiler. Now skydiving from a plane over Ukraine...yeah that might be dangerous, but we often forget how much some of these behemoths weigh. It is just odd that this happened a day before I am to do the same thing!

We should be okay though. The man has a chainfall hoist in his garage and we can back the trailer under it, and then at home we can use the tractor to move it into position, so I don't really see us having an issue getting it moved, but then again, that is probably what Virgil thought too.

cabinover · Post by **cabinover** » Sun. Mar. 30, 2014 10:14 am

I work with guys that will place themselves in dangerous places under a forklift-lifted object. Doesn't matter how much I holler at them, they still do it.

Never ever get under something suspended, there is no reason to put your life in jeopardy for an inanimate object. Use ropes for guides or to stabilize if you have to so long as you're not in it's way.

Sorry to hear about your friend but maybe his lesson will save a couple others from the same fate.

Hambden Bob · Post by **Hambden Bob** » Sun. Mar. 30, 2014 10:32 am

Bad Human Events......It's when these things happen that we have the unique opportunity to "Put Up Or Shut Up".....It's obvious that You can't do a Damn Thing For him. However,for his Family,The Loved Ones he was working so hard for,well,that's a whole different Story. Now's the Time to put a Game Plan together that helps his Wife And Kids in a way that they would be accepting of. It's really all You can do at a Time Like This. I wish You Well,My Friend....Keep us posted on how this Story Ends. Let us know how his Family's New Story Begins.....The "Old Man Upstairs" gave Us Gifts to do the right thing at a time like this....You're All In My Thoughts And Prayers....

nortcan · Post by **nortcan** » Sun. Mar. 30, 2014 11:04 am

So sorry for that situation. I keep your post in my mind .
Good luck to you and to your friend and his family.
Cincerly
Pierre

NoSmoke · Post by **NoSmoke** » Sun. Mar. 30, 2014 6:49 pm

He is still in ICU but survived the night. A long road to recovery with several surgeries planned over the next week, but they said he is now expected to live. I do not know all the details, but the praying has worked and hopefully can pull through.

His wife is the camp councilor of a Christian Camp and as such has not just our church, but many in the community who will help him and his family through this.

As for helping others by his example; yes that was my intentions because I know many on here are Boiler Techs by Profession. I would hate to have the same thing happen to anyone else on here.

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Sun. Mar. 30, 2014 7:02 pm

I once had to install a ginormous oil fired steam boiler. I had the guys essentially build a new, sturdy, set of stairs down to the basement before I'd let them move the boiler down the steps. Used an electric dolly and 5 guys to get it down. Thankfully, the stairs held. That was long before my coal burning days. I do remember the ultra ginormous coal fired steam boiler we were replacing was moved to the coal bin in that basement and abandoned in place. It was so large, they placed it in the basement of the old home and then built the house over it.

Post by **Rob R.** » Sun. Mar. 30, 2014 9:26 pm

If he survived the night, chances are starting to tip in his favor. The rest of us should take notice and be extra thoughtful in our actions. Even a small task can be a disaster if you skip something as simple as safety glasses.

oilman · Post by **oilman** » Mon. Mar. 31, 2014 11:27 am

NoSmoke wrote:Thanks for the prayers and well wishes over this weird accident. It is rather strange to know such a healthy young fella to be injured so bad by a falling boiler.

Well, not so strange really. About 10-12 years ago, a fellow who worked for an EFM dealer in Pa. was killed when they were moving a large oil boiler into a basement.
One of my guys was pinned by a large unit, luckily w/ no injuries, we have had at least 2 stairways collapse while we were on them, and I had a full Bock 32E water heater fall over on top of me once.(the floor underneath gave way-kinda like a sinkhole) Be careful when doing this stuff.