The insane method for lifting ‘compo’ has been captured on video, and is definitely not one to try at home.

The scene is almost a real life enactment of humorist Gerard Hoffnung’s story about a bricklayer from Golders Green writing a sick leave note to his boss after a accident using a pulley to lift a barrel of bricks, which read:

“Unfortunately, the barrel of bricks was heavier than I was and before I knew what was happening, the barrel started down, jerking me off the ground.

“I decided to hang on! Halfway up, I met the barrel coming down… and received a severe blow on the shoulder.

“I then continued to the top, banging my head against the beam and getting my fingers jammed in the pulley! When the barrel hit the ground, it burst it’s bottom… allowing all the bricks to spill out.

“I was now heavier than the barrel and so started down again at high speed!
Halfway down… I met the barrel coming up and received severe injury to my shins!

“When I hit the ground… I landed on the bricks, getting several painful cuts from the sharp edges!

“At this point… I must have lost my presence of mind… because I let go of the line!

“The barrel then came down… giving me a very heavy blow and putting me in hospital!

“I respectfully request sick leave.”