Tough day at the job!!
newsletter of the Australian equivalent of the Workers' Compensation
board. This is a true story. Had this guy died, he'd have received a
Darwinian Award for sure....
"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,
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 500 lbs. 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
weigh 135 lbs. 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."
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