Brick layer

**marie_speeds** · 14th October 2010, 10:13

The Bricklayer's Story
This true story of a bricklayer's accident report as printed in a newsletter of the English equivalent of the Workers' Compensation Board.

Dear Sir,

I am writing in response to your request for additional information in Block #3 of the accident report. I put 'Poor Planning' as the cause of my accident, but 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 I had some bricks left over that weighed 240 lbs. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley attached to the side of the building at 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 for the 240 lbs of bricks. You will note on the accident report that my weight is 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 explains the fractured skull, minor abrasions and the broken collarbone, as listed in Section 3 of the accident report.

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 the rope tightly, in spite of the excruciating pain I then now beginning to experience.

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, the barrel weighed approximately 50 lbs. I refer you again to my weight. As you might imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the building. Again in the vicinity of the third floor I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles, broken tooth and severe lacerations to 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 cracked only three vertebrae.

I am sorry to report, however, as I lay there on the pile of bricks, in pain, unable to move and watching the empty barrel six storeys above me, I again lost my composure and presence of mind and let go of the rope. I lay there watching the empty barrel begin its journey back down over my body.

**EJK** · 14th October 2010, 10:17

**marie_speeds** · 14th October 2010, 10:21

It was funny reading it, it's even funnier watching it.

**Gremlin** · 14th October 2010, 10:56

one of my favourite stories

edit: missed a couple of lines

The empty 50 pound barrel, weighing more than the rope I had let go, fell rapidly to earth, resulting in the two broken forearms and wrists when I raised by arms to protect myself.

I hope this information satisfactorily fulfills your request for further information.