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So This is What
"Poor Planning Is"
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 175lbs.
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 a great deal of 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.
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