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 attached accident report form. I put "poor planning"
as the cause of my Accident.
You asked for a full explanation
I trust the following details will be sufficient detail.
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 about 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 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.
Imagine my surprise at being jerked off the ground 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 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, and unable to move, I again lost my composure and presence of
mind
and let go of the rope
I then 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.
Signed by:
Kevin Roben
Democratic Brick Layers Union Local 1169
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