| The
old ones are the best ......
This is a bricklayer's accident report, which
was printed in the Newsletter of the New Zealand equivalent of
the Workers' Compensation Board.
This is a true story.
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-storey building. When I completed my work, I found 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 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
equally impressive speed. This explains the fractured skull, minor
abrasions and the broken collarbone, as listed in Section 3 of
the accident report form.
Slowed only slightly, I continued
my rapid ascent, not stopping until the I reached the top. Fortunately
by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able to
hold tightly to the rope, in spite of the excruciating pain I
was now beginning to experience. 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 50lbs.
I refer you again to my weight.
As you might 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 severe 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 query.
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