A Bricklayer’s Accident Report : Hilarious
As a Workplace Health and Safety Officer and also having worked in the Retail Shopping Centre (Shopping Mall) environment for quite some time, I have come across some of the most amazing and unbelievable accident reports.
The one I have for you today has been around for some time now, is uniquely Australian and funny as hell. I do hope that if you have seen this before it still cracks you up. If you have not read it before... then enjoy.
This is possibly one of the funniest Accident Reports around. This report, made by a bricklayer, was printed in an Australian Workers Compensation Newsletter.
- Image via Wikipedia
What makes this story even funnier is - it's true! Had this guy died he would have received a Darwin Award....
Dear Sir,
I am writing in response to your request for additional information in Block 3 of the Accident Report Form where 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-storey buidling.
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 tight;y to ensure a slow descent of the bricks.
You will note in Block 11 of the Accident Report Form that I weigh 135lbs.
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 thirdfloor, I met the barrel, which was now proceeding downward at an equally impressive speed. This explains 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 (the barrel weighed approximately 50lbs) 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.
- Image by Wade From Oklahoma via Flickr
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 then 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
K R (obviously, due to privacy laws, I am not providing details such as name and address)
Was this guy lucky or what?
Keep smiling!
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hi
Isn't it hilarious that atheists will report abuse when their precious theory of evolution is ridiculed?
Chris
True!
I feel the same a Diane. I felt bad for laughing because at one point you forget that this is a real person and get lost in the story. Not the cleverist plan but poor guy.
MHL Health And Safety Advisors´s last blog ..Introduction
I still laugh every time I read it … it is just plain hilarious, even though it is serious. It is kinda hard not to laugh!
Celebrate Life … Laughing!!
Lorrette
As amusing as this alleged story is, I think you’ll find that this is an song (word for word) written and sung by the Dubliners.
Nice try though.
Thanks for the info there Pat although I find it hard to believe that someone would write and/or sing about this type of accident or the report made about …!!
I may be wrong …but …??
Cheers
Lorrette
Great story, I couldn’t stop laughing all the way through this! You can imagine this being a cartoon sketch! Still, I probably wouldn’t be laughing if it happened to me…..
But it didn’t so I can find it funny!
Hi Jamie … yeah it is funny … I am with you I laugh every time I read it!
Cheers
Lorrette
This is absolutely hilarious. Obviously it could have had a tragic outcome, but as it is it’s just pure genius. I guess we know that the guy will carry the bricks down by hand next time.. if he should ever venture near a building site again!
Hey Rob
You got it! I could not stop laughing while reading this one …. thought ridiculous and a little dangerous. Begs the question…”I wonder how he does things these days”?
Cheers
Lorrette
Hi Lorette,
That seems to be hilarious but it has a pretty cautious thing in disguise. The need for safety health officers is on rise and federal authorities around the world are insisting repeatedly to employ a well trained and qualified SHO in companies which are prone to hazard. This bricklayer is absolutely funny but at the same time he is alarming regarding the aftermath caused because of silliness and stupidities.
Girish@Car Rental Auckland´s last blog ..Rugby World Cup Car Rentals
Hi Girish
You are absolutely right and it seems more and more companies (including those that don’t have major hazard or risk potential) are seeking the help of safety professionals. I can vouch for that as I too am a Workplace Health & Safety Officer/Trainer/Writer and I am constantly being asked for advice.
Celebrate Life
Lorrette
That was funny to read but at the same time knowing that someone went through it I feel a little bad laughing. I have no idea what would make a professional think that getting the bricks down this way was a good idea in the first place!
A definite screw up!
Diane Corriette
UK Internet Marketing’s last blog post..Do you have a positioning problem that the economy exposed?
Hey Diane
Really great that you could visit DSU, thank you. Yes I know it is hard not to laugh, but that is what is so delicious about life…people really do the craziest things.
If all else fails….laugh!!
Lorrette