Ups and Downs of Roofing: A Discourse in Safety

As I sat at my desk, my eyes focused on the bulletin board next to me and spotted a magazine article that I had clipped and stuck there about 23 years ago. Starting to show the tint of brown from age, it still gives me chuckle when I read it and thought that I would share it with you.

Gentleman:

On line three of my accident report form, I listed “multiple barrel abrasions” as the description of my accident. However, your letter has requested a more detailed explanation, and I trust the following will be sufficient.

I am a roofing contractor by trade. On the day of the accident, I had just completed a reroofing project on the exterior of a two story suburban townhouse. As I stood on the scaffolding, at roof level, I realized that there were about 500 pounds of extra shingles left over on the roof and scaffold. And rather than carry these down by hand, I decided to lower them down in a barrel using a pulley attached to the scaffold.

I first secured the rope to a tree trunk at ground level, then climbed back up and loaded the shingles (as well as my tools) into the suspended barrel. I then went back down and carefully untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow and safe descent.

I will, at this point, ask you to refer to line seven of my report where it indicates my weight as being 142 pounds.

I was suddenly dragged across the lawn to the base of the wall, and then lifted straight up the side of the building at a rapid rate. Unfortunately, I forgot to let go of the rope.

About 16 feet off the ground, I met the loaded barrel coming down (which explains the fractured collar bone). Being slightly stunned, I still clung to the rope and continued upwards, hitting my head on the bottom of the scaffolding (thus the concussion and skull fracture), and was stopped only when the fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley. Being two stories above the ground, I was reluctant to release the rope, and remained momentarily suspended slightly above the scaffolding.

However, upon hitting the ground, the barrel broke open – spilling out the shingles and tools – and before I could negotiate my way over to the safety of the nearby scaffold, the barrel (now devoid of shingles or tools and weighing only 50 pounds) started upwards as I began a rapid descent down the side of the building.

After slightly grazing the scaffold (two fractured ribs), I met the barrel coming up. (Thus the fractured ankle and knee lacerations).

I then landed on the pile of shingles and tools (cracking three vertebrae and spraining my wrist).

However, it was at this point – I am sorry to report – that as I lay there on my back atop the pile of shingles and tools, in pain, unable to move or stand, staring up at the empty barrel above me in total disbelief – I let go of the rope!

Yours truly,
(name withheld by request)

I do not remember where I actually clipped this article from. Not even sure if it is a true story, for I have seen a similar letter elsewhere on the web.

The article does overemphasize the lack of common sense however. Sometimes when you find yourself in a disastrous situation as this gentleman did — you just may forget to let go of the rope.

Stay safe out there!

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1. 

   Dave Rose says:

   February 20, 2009 at 5:20 pm

   As i read this on a Friday nite with a beer in my hand,this is very funny!
   I am a roofer and while i feel sorry for this guy you have to laugh even though safety is not a laughing mater, on friday nite in kick back time …it is.

   reply