Trying to do the job alone

flatchat(Chris)

Supporter
Dear sir
I'm writing in response to your request for additional information.In block #3 of the accident report form I put "trying to do the job alone" as the cause of the accident.In your letter you said that I should explain more fully and I trust that the following details should be sufficient.I'm a bricklayer by trade.On the date of the accident I was woking alone on the roof of a new 3 story building.When I completed my work I discovered I had about 300 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 that was attached to the side of the building at the 3rd floor.Securing the rope at ground level I swung the barrel out and loaded the bricks into it.The I went back to the ground and untied the rope while holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the three hundred pounds of bricks.You will note in block #2 of the accident report form that I stated I weighed 165 pounds. Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground ,so suddenly I lost my presence of mind and did not let go of the rope.Needless to say,I proceeded at a rather rapide rate up the side of the building.In the middle of the second floor I met the barrel coming down.This explains the fractured skull and broken collar bone.Slowed down only slightly by the barrel I continued my rapide ascent, not stopping until my right hand was two knuckles deep into the pulley.Fortunately ,I retained consciesness and was able to hold tightly to the rope in spite of my pain and injuries.At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground and the bottom of the barrel broke out.Devoid of the weight of the bricks the barrel weighed approximately 50 pounds.I refer you again to my weight in box #2. as you might imagine, I began a rather rapid descent down the side of the building. Inthe middle of the second floor,I again met the barrel coming up.This accounts for my two fractured ankles and lacerations of my legs and lower body. This encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lesson the injuries when I fell onto the pile of bricks.Fortunately only three vertebrae were cracked.I'm sorry to report however as I lay there on the bricks, in pain,unable to stand or move,I lost my presence of mind and let go of the rope.Theempty barrel, weighing more than the rope,came back down and broke both of my legs.I hope I furnished the information that you need to complete the processing of my claim and that you under stand how the accident occurred by trying to do the job alone.
Sincerely---- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Food for thought while building your dream(car).
Happy Christmas All!!!
DRB#17
Shake down engineer? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 

Lynn Larsen

Lynn Larsen
We have a show in the US called Urban Myths where they test out famous urban legends and myths. They actually did this one and ended up proving that it is possible that it could have happened, but it is not to probable that the fellow would have lived through it.
 
This dates from quite awhile ago. I have a recording of Gerard Hoffnung reading a slightly different version of this from 1958.

"A striking lesson in keeping the upper lip stiff is given in a recent number (?) of the weekly bulletin of the Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors, which prints the following letter
from a bricklayer in Gilders Green to the firm for whom he works."

The letter ends "I respectfully request sick leave."
 
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