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An Insurance Claim…
Submitted by Sumner, W1VIV
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
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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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[email protected]
The FARA email reflector is working well. It provides us with an easy way to reach all our members who have email. You have to sign up so it will reach you, though.
To sign up, send a message to [email protected] with contents "subscribe FraminghamARA-L". (Without the quotes, of course). The subject can be left blank, the server only looks at the contents of the message. You'll get back a confirmation, follow its instructions exactly, then you're on the list!
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