Sometime it's better to stay home from work

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 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 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 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 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 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 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.


> > Scott Forrest, PCLS