> This is a bricklayer's accident report, which was printed in the
> newsletter of the Australian equivalent of the Worker's Compensation
> board. This is a true story.
>
> 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-storey 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 the 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 135 lbs.
> 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 he broken collarbone, 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 some
> 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 for the two broken legs.
>
> I hope this answers your inquiry".
> newsletter of the Australian equivalent of the Worker's Compensation
> board. This is a true story.
>
> 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-storey 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 the 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 135 lbs.
> 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 he broken collarbone, 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 some
> 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 for the two broken legs.
>
> I hope this answers your inquiry".
