jabarnutcase
06-07-2003, 09:28 PM
Probably not true, (who knows?), but I got a kick out of it anyway...One of those "visual" things. :D (Excuse the format, just did a quick copy/paste from my email)
This is a bricklayer's
accident report, which was printed in the newsletter of the Australian
equivalent of the Workers' Compensation board
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 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
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 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 a great
deal
of 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.
This is a bricklayer's
accident report, which was printed in the newsletter of the Australian
equivalent of the Workers' Compensation board
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 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
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 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 a great
deal
of 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.