An insurance company asked for more information regarding a work-related
accident claim. This was the response: "I put `poor planning' as the
cause of my accident. I am an amateur radio operator and was working
on the top section of my new 80 foot tower. When I had completed my
work, I discovered that I had, over the course of several trips up the
tower, brought up about 300 pounds of tools and spare hardware. Rather
than carry the materials down by hand, I decided to lower the items
using a pulley.
Securing the rope at ground level, I went to the top of the tower and
loaded the tools into a small barrel. Then I went back to the ground and
untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the 300
pounds of tools. You will note in block number 11 of the accident
report that I weigh 155 pounds. Due to my surprise of being jerked off
the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go
of the rope.
I proceeded at a rather rapid rate of speed up the side of the tower. In
the vicinity of the 40 foot level, I met the barrel coming down. This
explains my 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.
I regained my presence of mind and was able to hold onto the rope in
spite of my pain. At the same time, however, the barrel of tools hit
the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Devoid of the weight
of the tools, the barrel now weighed approximately 20 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
tower. In the vicinity of the 40 foot level, I met the barrel coming up.
This accounts for the two fractured ankles, and the lacerations of my
legs and lower body. The encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to
lessen my injuries when I fell onto the pile of tools so only three
vertebrae were cracked.
I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay on the tools, in pain,
unable to stand and watching the empty barrel 80 feet above me, I again
lost my presence of mind and let go of the rope..."
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