Bricklayer Accident Report
I am writing in response to your request for additional information. In block number three
of the accident reporting form, I put "poor planning" as the cause of my accident. You said
in your letter that I should explain more and I trust that the following details are
sufficient:

I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working along on the roof of
a new six-story building. When I completed my work, I discovered that I had about 500
pounds of bricks left over. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand I decided to lower
them in a barrel by using a pulley, which fortunately was attached to the side of the
building at the sixth floor.

Securing the rope at the ground level, I went up to the roof, swung the barrel out and
loaded the bricks into it. Then I went back to the ground and untied the rope, holding it
tightly to ensure a slow descent of the 500 pounds of bricks. You will note in block number
11 of the accident reporting form that I weigh 135 pounds.

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 rather rapid rate up
the side of the building.

In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming down. This explains the
fractured skull and broken collarbone.

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 my pain.

At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground - and the
bottom fell out of the barrel. Devoid of the weight of the bricks, the barrel now weighed
approximately 50 pounds.

I refer you again to my weight in block number 11. 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 and lacerations of my legs and lower body.

The encounter with the barrel, slowed me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell onto the
pile of bricks and fortunately, only three vertebrae were cracked.

I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay there on the bricks in pain, unable to move,
and watching the barrel six stories above - I again lost my presence of mind.

I let go of the rope!

original author unknown (but performed by many)

category: on the job  date entered: 2019-02-04