DON’T TRY IT ALONE

By Staff
Published on January 1, 1987

601 Oakwood Drive, Clinton, MS 39056

This letter was written to illustrate a story Mr. Patterson
heard while attending an engine show in Blairsville, GA. It should
serve as a reminder to us all about safety precautions in working
with engines.

I am writing in response to your request for more information
concerning Block No. 11 on the insurance form which asks for
‘Cause of injuries’ where I put ‘Trying to do the job
alone’. You said you needed more information so I trust the
following will be sufficient.

On the date of injuries, I was working alone trying to retrieve
an old gas engine out of the loft of a four-story building when I
realized the 400-pound engine was too much for me to carry down the
stairs. So, rather than try to carry the engine down the stairs by
hand, I decided to put it on a platform and lower it by a pulley
which was fastened to the top of the building. I secured the end of
the rope at ground level and went up to the top of the building and
loaded the engine onto the platform and swung the platform out with
the engine on it. I then went down and untied the rope, holding it
securely to insure the slow decent of the engine.

As you will note on Block No. 6 of the insurance form, I weigh
145 pounds. Due to my shock at being jerked off the ground so
swiftly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the
rope. Between the second and third floors, I met the engine coming
down. This accounts for the bruises and lacerations on my upper
body.

Regaining my presence of mind again, I held tightly to the rope
and proceeded rapidly up the side of the building not stopping
until my right hand was jammed in the pulley. This accounts for the
broken thumb.

Despite the pain, I regained my presence of mind and held
tightly to the rope. At approximately the same time, however, the
engine hit the ground and the jar knocked it off the platform.
Devoid of the weight of the engine, the platform now weighed about
50 pounds. I again refer you to Block No. 6 and my weight-145
pounds.

As you would guess, I began a rapid descent. In the vicinity of
the second floor, I met the platform coming up. This explains the
injuries to my legs and lower body. Slowed only slightly, I
continued my descent landing on the engine. Fortunately, my back
was only sprained, and the internal injuries were minimal.

I am sorry to report, however, that at this point, I again lost
my presence of mind and let go of the rope, and as you can imagine,
the platform crashed down on me.

I trust this answers your concern. Please know that I am
finished ‘trying to do the job alone.’

Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-866-624-9388