From the newsletter, THE PROFESSIONAL RIGGER published by one of MEC's Associates, Wire Rope & Rigging Consultants, Inc.
I am writing in response to your request for additional information on my accident. In block 3 of the accident reporting form, I put "poor planning" as the cause of my accident. You said in your letter that I should explain more fully, and I trust that the following will be sufficient.
I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working alone on the roof of a six story building. When I completed my work, I discovered that I had about 500 pounds of brick left over. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a single purchase pulley which fortunately was attached to the side of the building at the sixth floor.
The rope was secured at the ground floor, so I swung the barrel out, and loaded it with the brick. Then I went down to the ground and untied the rope, holding tightly to insure the slow descent of the 500 pounds of bricks. You will note in block number 11 of the accident reporting form that I weigh 135 pounds.
When I released the rope, I was jerked into the air. Due to the suddenness of this, I forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded at a rather rapid rate up the side of the building.
In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming down. This explains the fractured skull and broken collarbone.
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 my pain.
However, at approximately the same time, the barrel of bricks hit the ground - and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Devoid of its load of bricks, the barrel now weighed only 50 pounds.
I refer you again to my weight in block number 11. As you might imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the building.
In the vicinity of the third floor, I again met the barrel, this time rising rapidly. This accounts for the two fractured ankles and the lacerations to my legs and lower body.
The encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my injuries when I landed into the piles of bricks and, fortunately, only three vertebrae were cracked.
I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay there on the bricks - in pain, unable to stand, and looking at the barrel six stories above me - I lost my presence of mind, and let go of the rope.
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