Watch out for OSHA

[05.Banshee.SE]

AUSTRALIAN BRICKLAYER'S REPORT

 

Possibly the funniest story in a long while. This is a bricklayer's accident

Report, which was printed in the newsletter of the Australian 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 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 that 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 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 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 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.

 

Kevin Roben

Democratic Brick Layers Union Local 1169

 

 

 

Wagga Glass & Aluminium Pty Ltd

PO Box 5004 ( 11 Dobney Ave )

Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

[Mjv420]

lol.

[trail rider]

lol.

 

they had something exactly like that incident on mythbusters :biggrin:

[hercalmighty]

Yeah the Mytherbuster figured out that the barrel had to be almost totally dismanteled to actually break apart when it hit the ground.

[KaosBanshee44]

Damn talk about a bad day at work, did OSHA come out with a new saftey program to prevent this in the future...lol

[Animalman294]

There is no way anyone can be that damn stupid........

[Paddleboy]

hah now that u say it i did see that on mythbusters