Australian bricklayer report
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 2 of the accident report form that I weigh
135lbs. 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 equally impressive speed.
This explained the fractured skull, minor abrasions and the broken
collar bone, as listed in block 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, the barrel weighed approximately 50lbs.
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 onto 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.
Kind Regards,
Mike Pashby
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