[TheForge] Re: [blacksmitheditors] Sculptor Albert Paley burned: Rochester

Tue Jul 30 09:54:05 2002

        David,  Thanks for forwarding the good news that Albert will be
alright over time.  I got a call from Ed Mack yesterday and he mentioned
this being something he saw in the paper yesteday.
         I've had a gas tank on a scissor lift burst into flames below me on
a welding site, and know it is one of the scaryest events of my life as I
jumped 20 feet to smother it with snow(luckily it was winter-and there was
so much adrenaline flowing I didn't mind the leap).
        Sure makes us all think about those high pressure propane hoses we
have in our shops - especially when the rosebud styles are supplied with 50
psi of oxygen too.  Work safe and use your safety equipment, and I look
forward to updates on his improvement.

Ralph Sproul - Bear Hill Blacksmith
Webster, NH

----- Original Message -----
From: "lama" <[email protected]>
To: "TheForge" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2002 9:36 AM
Subject: [blacksmitheditors] Sculptor Albert Paley burned: Rochester

Sculptor burned: Rochester
- Albert Paley, a world-renowned metal sculptor whose monumental creations
grace museums, plazas, universities and corporate courtyards from Washington
to San Francisco, suffered serious burns in a blowtorch mishap at an
artist's studio.

Paley, 58, was in guarded condition at a hospital Saturday with second- and
third-degree burns over more than 20 percent of his body, mostly his head,
chest, left arm and legs.

He was cutting metal with a propane torch when a gas line burst and set his
clothes on fire around midday Friday, authorities said. Emergency crews
found him hosing himself off outside the studio.

###  http://www.democratandchronicle.com/news/0729story065735_news.shtml

-----------------------------------------
Dear Friends of Albert's,

I spoke with Albert's daughter today and have some current information.  We
cleared with Francis, Albert's wife, that it would be alright to disclose
daily just how Albert is doing.  I will be speaking with Kimberly or
Francis every day and bringing you the most current information available.

Here is what Kimberly told me today:
Albert was up in the air in a bucket style man lift  doing torch work on a
sculpture. He was way up in the air  a when a hose ruptured. The fuel gas
(propane) went to the bottom of the lift bucket where he stood. He had two
men on the ground working with him but neither knew how to operate the
lift. Albert simultaneously put the flames out himself and got  down from
the lift. He had his men immediately dousing him with cold water from the
hose. Medical units were on site immediately, as was Francis who was then
able to ride with him in the ambulance to the hospital.

He was taken to Strong Memorial Burn Unit. He has very seriously burned but
he is making good progress. His left hand was badly burned. Fortunately it
was to the skin layers and not the muscle layers. His ear, Cheeks and part
of legs were burned as well. He was scheduled for surgery today but they
saw new growth of cells and postponed surgery to watch and see if he could
re generate most of the necessary cells himself rather than have skin
grafts. He heals very quickly from burns based on past experience.

Albert was wearing his full heavy leather gear, goggles for eye protection,
good hair protection, gloves and masks suitable for the job. He was doing
everything correctly to protect himself but the hose simply burst. Propane
being heaver than air, then spilled into the bottom of the lift under his
feet and burst into flames.

Albert is in complete control of his mind and insists upon writing down
everything that comes across it.  There isn't anyone more determined than
Albert to get out of there  and back to work.  This will be a long haul and
it is distressing but Albert will be alright.

I'll be speaking to Kimberly again tomorrow and I will be in touch.  Please
pass this along to those on your list who you know will want to know.  I
had a huge melt down on my machi\ne and my address book is not as complete
as it once way.

Thanks,
Dorothy
------------------------------------------------------------

Dave Mudge  [email protected]
http://magichammer.ironworkers.com
http://magichammer.freeservers.com
"Our lives begin to end the day we become
silent about things that matter"  M.L. King