The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #47508 Message #900632
Posted By: Sandy Mc Lean
28-Feb-03 - 04:09 PM
Thread Name: Origins: the sick note/ murphy and the bricks
Subject: RE: the sick note/ murphy and the bricks.
Hey Pat, If you're still watching this thread, this story may interest you. It sure looks like your theme in another form. I love your song! Sandy
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 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 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 equal, 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." > > > >