09-27-2003, 11:08 AM
This is too funny, but only because the guy is alive.
This is a bricklayer's accident report, which was printed in the newsletter
of the Australian equivalent of the Workers' Compensation board. This is a
true story. Had this guy died, he'd have received a Darwin Award for
sure.......
Dear Sir,
I am writing in response to your request for additional information in
Block
3 of the accident report form. I put "poor planning" as the cause of my
accident. You asked for a fuller explanation and I trust the following
details will be sufficient.
I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working alone
on the roof of a new six story building. When I completed my work, I found
that I had some bricks left over which, when weighed later were found to be
slightly in excess of 500lbs. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I
decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley, which was attached to
the side of the building on the sixth floor.
Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof, swung the barrel
out and loaded the bricks into it. Then I went down and untied the rope,
holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the bricks. You will note in
Block 11 of the accident report form that I weigh135lbs.
Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my
presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I
proceeded at a rapid rate up the side of the building. In the vicinity of
the third floor, I met the barrel, which was now proceeding downward at an
equal, impressive speed. This explained the fractured skull, minor
abrasions
and the broken collar bone, as listed in section 3 of the accident report
form.
Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the
fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley.
Fortunately
by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold
tightly
to the rope, in spite of beginning to experience pain.
At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the
ground
and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Now devoid of the weight of the
bricks, that barrel weighed approximately 50 lbs. I refer you again to my
weight. As you can imagine, I began a rapid descent, down the side of the
building. In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming up.
This accounts for the two fractured ankles, broken tooth and several
lacerations of my legs and lower body. Here my luck began to change
slightly.
The encounter with the barrel seemed to slow me enough to lessen my
injuries
when I fell into the pile of bricks and fortunately only three vertebrae
were cracked.
I am sorry to report, however, as I lay there on the pile of bricks, in
pain, unable to move, I again lost my composure and presence of mind and
let
go of the rope and I lay there watching the empty barrel begin its journey
back down onto me. This explains the two broken legs.
I hope this answers your inquiry.
[signature]
This is a bricklayer's accident report, which was printed in the newsletter
of the Australian equivalent of the Workers' Compensation board. This is a
true story. Had this guy died, he'd have received a Darwin Award for
sure.......
Dear Sir,
I am writing in response to your request for additional information in
Block
3 of the accident report form. I put "poor planning" as the cause of my
accident. You asked for a fuller explanation and I trust the following
details will be sufficient.
I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working alone
on the roof of a new six story building. When I completed my work, I found
that I had some bricks left over which, when weighed later were found to be
slightly in excess of 500lbs. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I
decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley, which was attached to
the side of the building on the sixth floor.
Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof, swung the barrel
out and loaded the bricks into it. Then I went down and untied the rope,
holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the bricks. You will note in
Block 11 of the accident report form that I weigh135lbs.
Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my
presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I
proceeded at a rapid rate up the side of the building. In the vicinity of
the third floor, I met the barrel, which was now proceeding downward at an
equal, impressive speed. This explained the fractured skull, minor
abrasions
and the broken collar bone, as listed in section 3 of the accident report
form.
Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the
fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley.
Fortunately
by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold
tightly
to the rope, in spite of beginning to experience pain.
At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the
ground
and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Now devoid of the weight of the
bricks, that barrel weighed approximately 50 lbs. I refer you again to my
weight. As you can imagine, I began a rapid descent, down the side of the
building. In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming up.
This accounts for the two fractured ankles, broken tooth and several
lacerations of my legs and lower body. Here my luck began to change
slightly.
The encounter with the barrel seemed to slow me enough to lessen my
injuries
when I fell into the pile of bricks and fortunately only three vertebrae
were cracked.
I am sorry to report, however, as I lay there on the pile of bricks, in
pain, unable to move, I again lost my composure and presence of mind and
let
go of the rope and I lay there watching the empty barrel begin its journey
back down onto me. This explains the two broken legs.
I hope this answers your inquiry.
[signature]