VALPARAISO | Otto Barrios says he's lucky. Some could argue "lucky" is not the word for a guy who was burned at ArcelorMittal last year when a bustle pipe exploded.
Barrios said Wednesday he's glad to be back to work, but is concerned about his seven co-workers injured in Tuesday's accident at the steelmaker in Burns Harbor.
"I really feel for these families. It's really stressful for everybody. Not just for the person who was hurt, but for the people who take care of you."
Barrios had finished his midnight shift and was at home asleep when a fireball erupted Tuesday at the ArcelorMittal plant. His son, Israel Barrios, of Lake Station, was working at the basic oxygen furnace when the seven workers were burned. His son was not injured and he called his father and left a message on his answering machine letting his dad know he was OK.
It's that family connection that helped Otto Barrios recover from his injuries.
"If anything, it brings the family closer because of what happened," Barrios said.
That connection, knowing his injuries could have been worse and more emphasis on safety at the plant are among the reasons Barrios said he's lucky.
Barrios was burned on his neck, head and hands.
His skin is still sensitive where he was burned.
"I've got a scar on the neck, but I'm glad to be alive," he said.
And staying alive is on his mind as he returned to his job at the mill.
"Down the road on the job it makes you more careful at work," Barrios said.
He said he looks over situations more carefully than ever while on the job. The company also has been more vigilant about safety equipment and procedures, he said.
"We are way more serious about safety than when I was hurt," he said. "They enforce the rules, and the safety equipment is available. It has changed -- definitely."
Barrios returned to work about two months after his accident.
"The first couple days were a little eerie," Barrios said. "But it got back to normal."
Despite the dangers of working at the mill, Barrios said he's glad to be back at work.
"I spent most of my of life in the steel industry," he said. "It's all I know how to do."
