Mistyrayn Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 If you haven't finished your assignments yet, this will give you a chuckle. But then you must press on! BRICKLAYER'S REPORT: Possibly the funniest story in a long while; This is a bricklayer's accident report, which was printed in the news letter of the Austra1ian 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 S i r , i am writing in response to your request for additional information in Block 3 of the accident report form. I put rrpoor planning" as the cause of my accident. You asked for a fuller explanation and I trust the following details be s u f f i c i e n t . 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 slightty in excess of 500 - L B S . Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a puIley, which was attached to the side of the building on the sixth floor. Securlng 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 II of the accident report form that I weigh 135 I b s . Due to my surprise aL 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 ableto 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 50 1bs) 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 fIoor, 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 Lt trri.X" 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. Kevin Roben Wagga Glass e Aluminium Pty Ltd PO Box 5004 (11 Dobney Ave) Wagga Wagga NSW 2550 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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