Steelworker Awarded Carnegie Medal for Extraordinary Civilian Heroism
04/11/2008 - The Pittsburgh-based Carnegie Fund awards the Carnegie Medal to the family of former Allegheny Ludlum steelworker Michael J. Carney in recognition of his act of heroism in saving the life of a co-worker.
The Pittsburgh-based Carnegie Fund recently awarded the Carnegie Medal to the family of former Allegheny Ludlum steelworker Michael J. Carney in recognition of his act of heroism in saving the life of co-worker John L. Ressani.
Carney lost his life on August 24, 2004 saving Ressani from being struck by a temper mill roll at Allegheny Ludlum's Vandergrift plant. Ressani and Carney, members of USW Local 1138, were changing the two stacked rolls in the temper mill at the plant. They and another co-worker were rigging the top roll to an overhead crane for repositioning when the crane began to move unexpectedly. As the crane moved the 14-ton roll toward Ressani by its secured end, Carney shouted a warning to him and then approached and pushed him hard from the roll's path. Carney then turned, but before he could reach safety, the unsecured end of the roll dropped, pinning him to the floor. Ressani was treated for bruises at the hospital and released. Carney died at the scene.
The accident was investigated by the United Steelworkers (USW) Health, Safety and Environment department and USW Local 1138. Assistant Health and Safety Director James Frederick and Health and Safety Specialist, Steve Sallman nominated Carney for the award after the investigation.
In addition to Carney, 21 other recipients were awarded the Carnegie Medal. The medal is awarded to those who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. Five of the awardees lost their lives in the performance of their rescue acts.
Since the Pittsburgh-based Carnegie Fund's inception in 1904, there have been 9173 awards presented for heroism. Commission President Mark Laskow stated that each of the awardees or their next of kin will also receive a grant of $6,000. Throughout the 104 years since the Fund was established by industrialist-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, $30.5 million has been given in one-time grants, scholarship aid, death benefits, and continuing assistance.
