Bricklayers accident report
Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:12 pmDear 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 175lbs.
Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I 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 this time I 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 must have lost my 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.
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 175lbs.
Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I 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 this time I 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 must have lost my 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.