The event reads like an episode of "Rescue 911" or "E.R." It was a typical hot and humid July day in Ragland, Ala. Retired National Cement employee Otis Boswell and his wife, Dolly, were babysitting three of their eight grandchildren, ages two, four, and six.

Upon returning from shopping and after the ritual releasing of the children from their car seats, the group of five began settling in for a Saturday of relaxation.

At one time, a beautifully landscaped area full of smooth, brown river rock existed behind the Boswell home. Now a little less landscaped but still appealing to young children, the rocks were often used by the grandkids for stacking, knocking over, and throwing into the nearby swimming pool. The Boswells' youngest grandchild, Jacob, immediately went for the rocks, which would undoubtedly find their way into the pool.

As Dolly made a quick phone call and Otis was elsewhere in the yard (each thinking the other was watching Jacob), the youngest grandchild somehow made his way poolside in an attempt to deposit some river rocks and fell in. After realizing the boy had fallen in, Otis immediately jumped in the pool and retrieved Jacob. The Boswells could see that Jacob was blue and not breathing, so Otis started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while Dolly called 9-1-1.

Otis repeatedly pushed two fingers into Jacob's chest and breathed into his mouth. Finally, a gurgle sound and a cry came from Jacob, and he was again breathing.

Once the emergency vehicles arrived, Jacob was rushed to the hospital, where he was eventually given a clean bill of health. After things had settled down, doctors at the hospital asked Otis what had happened and how he knew CPR. Otis told them it had been a requirement where he'd worked (at the time of this incident, Otis had been retired for nine years). "Where did you work?" the doctors asked. "I'm 71 years old. I've been retired from National Cement in Ragland, Ala. They require their employees to take a CPR course and brought someone in to teach it," he replied. The doctors informed the Boswells that without Otis' training and quick thinking, their grandson would not have survived the incident.

Perhaps Dolly Boswell put it best in a recent interview for National Cement's internal newsletter: "I would like to thank National Cement for requiring my husband to know CPR and tell them not to ever give up on their employees taking these classes. I wish all companies required this. These classes saved our precious 2-year-old grandson's life. I am eternally grateful."

Each new employee at National Cement is required to take a 2- to 3-day new miner safety training course. During the course, they are familiarized with eye equipment, safety helmets, and noise pollution equipment. They also are required to learn about the plant's equipment operation, electrical equipment, and emergency protocol. Additionally, they are trained in the basics of First Aid and familiarized with MSHA's safety requirements. Employees undergo workshop training dealing with all types of emergency situations.

MSHA and National Cement require that at least one employee per shift be Red Cross certified in First Aid. This certification is good for three years.

Each year, every plant employee is required to take an eight-hour safety refresher course, during which employees are updated on First Aid procedures, plant equipment, emergency protocol, and MSHA safety laws.