| Compensation Claim
You wouldn't believe that the following could be true...but then again, what about those blokes working in a London tower-block a few years ago who sawed a circular hole in the floor around themselves and fell umpteen floors to a very heavy landing
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Bricklayer's Accident Report ~ Possibly the funniest story in a
while. This is a bricklayer's accident report, which was printed in
the newsletter of the Australian Workers' Compensation Board This is
a true story. Had this guy died, he'd have received a Darwin Award
for sure....
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, 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 175 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 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 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.
Bill Xxxxxx
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