As some of you know my boss Rick had an accident at work a month ago. For those of you that don't the story goes a little something like this. He was working at a job we were called to to replace some pipe and feeder wire (big stuff) to some panels at a warehouse which was broken into and copper was stolen. There were three pipes that were cut on the inside of the building and they were taken down and the copper was stolen. As he and Ponch were checking out the job they noticed 5 others that had been cut into as well. Three were cut all the way and another was cut halfway. That one still had live wires inside so during that inspection they found a disconnection switch that was stuck in the on position. Now normally when you cut into a pipe that has live wires you blow up your saw and the breaker trips, but either they were lucky and hadn't cut a hot wire, or there was something wrong with the disconnect. As Rick was trying to shut the switch off something went wrong. Ponch was on top of the panel, (it is a big panel on the outside of the building that feeds other small panels inside the building), and he said he heard a loud boom sounding like a shotgun. When Ponch jumped off he saw Rick stumbling away, the panel is enclosed in a chain linked cage with the door on the right and Rick was in the left hand corner. After the explosions had stopped for a second Ponch waived Rick over to the gate and the made it out as the panel started blowing again. When a panel or a wire fails it melts instantly and explodes sending the molten metal and flames out. The initial blast, (I will post pics of the panel later, you will see it's a blast) was the one that got Rick. It burnt off the front of his shirt, just the back and his collar remained, and Ponch said he was alert, talking and breathing fine. His chest and arms were burnt real bad, his face was browned and his ears were burnt bad as well. From here I will go to the hospital part.
The report from the hospital was he had third degree burns over 44% of his body, he was sedated and had a breathing tube. They feared that his lungs were burnt and susceptible to infection, and he was going to have to have multiple grafting surgeries to repair his burnt skin. I went to see him after two weeks. As much as I had heard, as much as I understand about what happens when a panel blows, all of that didn't prepare me for what I saw. Now it was real, my boss who I respect as a leader, motivator, and who just happens to be real funny, is wrecked in a hospital bed. I talked to him, told him about work and how I was keeping an eye on things while he was there. Here is another bit for ya, I have been there for two months now, maybe three, all the others: Dan, Jeff, Ponch, Alex, have been with each other for maybe 10 years. They have worked in other companies together, and then with VF since its birth. So I am the new guy in an established company of guys. I say that to make the point that I have a connection to Rick not only as my boss, but I also see the relationship that he has with the other guys, and the brotherhood that is the electrical trade. Just not union. While I was talking to him he would look at me, or my way. He would move his head when I would ask him questions, and when we prayed for him I looked and he had his eyes closed for a bit of the prayer. I don't know how much he will remember, if he saw me, or if the motions I saw were just him moving around in time with the ever moving outside world, but for me, I saw him there. I saw him trapped inside the sedation, the fiery man that is Rick trying to get up, trying to speak, trying to move his heavily bandaged arms. I told him that I cant wait for him to get back to work, to lead and motivate the guys like he had last month. As much as we bicker about it when he does, I know now that we need it more then ever. That since of normalcy, comfort, the "all is right with the world" feeling. Boss's lead and motivate, employees bicker and follow.
The news as of today is good. His artificial skin graft didn't take (pig skin is what I heard) so he will have to have another in a few days. They say he will be coming off the breathing tube in the next couple days, which means his lungs are clear and strong. And that he might be up and about in a wheel chair by the end of next week. I was at the job site where it happened today, I saw the panel, the cage, the destruction on the inside. I had to take it all in, just look at it, imagine. I found two buttons from his shirt at the left side of the cage. The same place he stood when he got back on his feet. It was surreal, sad, and frustrating. There were bits and pieces of metal, carbon, even flesh. I don't say it to be crass or sick, it is the reality of what I took in.
The day after it happened I was working in an old panel at a beautiful old church. I was standing next to it when a relay wire shorted and blew. Sparks, or molten copper shot out and it made a loud bang, a flash and it was done. But it shook me. I have been doing this for 8 years now, with various elements of danger and routine, and this has shaken me. Shaken to the core. I was talking to Kendra about it later that night, questioning if I still want to do it, still have the passion for it. I do. I have never been reckless in it, I hate getting a shock from touching a metal door knob after walking across the carpet, let alone 120 or 277. I have been careful, but this shook me. Knowing that turning off a breaker could result in third degree burns brought any level of invincibility crashing down. I bet we all question routine when something pulls the rug from under us. Do we get back on the bull after watching the last guy get gored.
Thanks to all who have prayed for him, for those that kept him in their thoughts. He is doing better. He still has a long road ahead of him but I think the dark night has passed. I will keep you up to date on his condition, and hope to be able to speak to him soon. I am sorry this came out disjointed, thoughts and emotions seem to come and go but I felt the urge to write it. Love you all.
