After climbing atop nearly 40 pallets, he convinced his co-worker to forklift him higher in the air
How many wooden shipping pallets does it take to change a lightbulb? One Japanese warehouse worker found the answer—the hard way—37.
According to TVN News, the 40-year-old worker was attempting to change a lightbulb on the ceiling when he came up with this bright idea. He stacked up 37 pallets, then climbed onto the stack and convinced a coworker to lift the entire tower with a forklift.
He’d done the math: he could reach up to 8 feet overhead, and the forklift could lift him an additional 8 feet. Because the lightbulb was 30 feet above the ground and each pallet was about 6 inches tall, 37 pallets seemed like they would do the trick. But in all his calculations, he didn’t count on one critical thing.
Anyone familiar with wooden pallets knows their surfaces are far from perfect. Stacking ten pallets would be shaky enough, but 37? The idea is terrifying.
But it was about 5 p.m., and it’s likely the worker was eager to head home. So he climbed atop the stack with a fresh bulb and instructed his coworker to lift him up. The rest—and the worker—are history. According to the report he fell, struck his head, and died.
Police in Tenri City are investigating “the cause of the accident.”
As tragic as this story is, at least the rest of us can learn from it. If you have a bulb to change—or any overhead task to complete—take the time to get a proper ladder. Have someone “foot” the ladder securely, climb carefully, and get home safely. Even if it means clocking out a few minutes late.
