A close call

Last week while at work I had something happen that could have been disastrous. Once I clocked in the boss came over to tell me to run the rock breaker for the next two days. A rock breaker is just what it sounds like. There is a huge hammer at the end of the stick of a track hoe instead of a bucket. This is what we use for over sized rocks that will not fit into the jaw crusher. I don't normally run this machine but I am trained to run it. As I was lifting the lid that covers the engine, I was thinking about how heavy it was and how it would really hurt if it were to ever fall on you. As I continued lifting, I heard a click- assuming it was in lock position....and it wasn't. I let go and begin to bend over under the lid and in a millisecond.. I could feel something was not right ... and out of my peripheral vision I seen it coming down. I jerked back but I was a little late and that lid smacked me in the jaw under my lip. Once it hit me , I was frightened that I had lost several teeth but I did a quick feel around my mouth just to make sure I had my teeth. Next was my lip, I thought for sure I had cut my lip and needed stitches. I was spitting up blood and thought for sure I had some major issues but as soon as my boss go down there, I looked in the mirror and all I had was a little scrap on the outside but a busted lip on the inside. This could have been really bad. When you are on top of the machine like that- you are at least 8 to 10ft off the ground. What if that lid hit me in the temple and knocked me off the machine. I think I am very blessed to wind up with only a busted lip considering what could have happened. The Lord was definitely protecting me last Thursday morning.