Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
drawson
TDR MEMBER
This is a bricklayer's accident report. which was printed in the
Newsletter of the New Zealand equivalent of our Worker's compensation
Board. This is a TRUE story. Had this guy died, he would certainly have
been a strong candidate for number one in our annual Darwin Awards list.
The letter begins:
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 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 of 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 on 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 in 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 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 50 lbs. 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 inquiry.
Newsletter of the New Zealand equivalent of our Worker's compensation
Board. This is a TRUE story. Had this guy died, he would certainly have
been a strong candidate for number one in our annual Darwin Awards list.
The letter begins:
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 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 of 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 on 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 in 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 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 50 lbs. 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 inquiry.
