Golden Rivet
16th Mar 2001, 06:39
Just thought I'd share this with everyone - taken from FAA General Aviation Alerts
Dear Sirs: I am writing in response to your request for additional information. In block number 3 of the accident Reporting Form I put 'Trying to do the job alone' as the cause of the accident. You said in your letter that I should explain more fully and I trust the following details will be suffcient:
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 discovered that I had about 500 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 which, fortunately was attached to the side of the building at 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 back down to the ground floor and untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow decent of the 500 pounds of bricks.( You will note in block number 11 of the accident Reporting form that I weigh 145 pounds )
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 coming down. This explains the fractured skull and broken collar bone.
Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley. Fortunately, by this this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the rope in spite of my pain. At approximately the same time however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground, and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Devoid of the bricks, the barrel now weighed approximately 50 pounds ( I refer you agin 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 met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the fractured ankles and the lacerations on my legs and lower body.
The encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lesson my injuries when I fell onto the pile 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 watching the empty barrel above me, I again lost my presence of mind - and let go of the rope. The empty barrel weighed more than the rope, so it came back down on me and broke both my legs.
I hope I have furnished the information you require as to how the accident occured.
Food for thought for all of you who work out on the ramp alone !!!
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Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread
Dear Sirs: I am writing in response to your request for additional information. In block number 3 of the accident Reporting Form I put 'Trying to do the job alone' as the cause of the accident. You said in your letter that I should explain more fully and I trust the following details will be suffcient:
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 discovered that I had about 500 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 which, fortunately was attached to the side of the building at 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 back down to the ground floor and untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow decent of the 500 pounds of bricks.( You will note in block number 11 of the accident Reporting form that I weigh 145 pounds )
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 coming down. This explains the fractured skull and broken collar bone.
Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley. Fortunately, by this this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the rope in spite of my pain. At approximately the same time however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground, and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Devoid of the bricks, the barrel now weighed approximately 50 pounds ( I refer you agin 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 met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the fractured ankles and the lacerations on my legs and lower body.
The encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lesson my injuries when I fell onto the pile 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 watching the empty barrel above me, I again lost my presence of mind - and let go of the rope. The empty barrel weighed more than the rope, so it came back down on me and broke both my legs.
I hope I have furnished the information you require as to how the accident occured.
Food for thought for all of you who work out on the ramp alone !!!
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Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread