WASZAK v. STATE 87776 (2000)

In this action by claimant to recover for injuries sustained at a construction site, defendant appeals, contending that the Court of Claims erred in denying that part of its motion seeking summary judgment dismissing the cause of action under Labor Law § 241(6) insofar as it is based on the alleged violation of 12 NYCRR 23-1.23(a) and (b).   Claimant cross-appeals, contending that the court erred in granting that part of defendant's motion seeking summary judgment dismissing the cause of action under Labor Law § 200 and the cause of action under Labor Law § 241(6) insofar as it is based on the alleged violation of 12 NYCRR 23-1.7(d), (e) and (f) and 23-4.3.

 The court erred in dismissing the cause of action under Labor Law § 200 on the ground that the allegedly dangerous condition was readily observable (see, Reisch v. Amadori Constr. Co., 273 A.D.2d 855, 709 N.Y.S.2d 726).   The alleged open and obvious nature of the condition is relevant to claimant's comparative negligence but does not negate the duty of a defendant to maintain its worksite in a reasonably safe condition (see, Ditz v. Myriad Constrs., 269 A.D.2d 874, 703 N.Y.S.2d 794).   The testimony of defendant's representatives raises a triable issue of fact concerning whether defendant had the requisite supervision and control over the work and worksite (see, Rizzuto v. L.A. Wenger Contr. Co., 91 N.Y.2d 343, 353, 670 N.Y.S.2d 816, 693 N.E.2d 1068;  Ross v. Curtis-Palmer Hydro-Elec. Co., 81 N.Y.2d 494, 506, 601 N.Y.S.2d 49, 618 N.E.2d 82;  Young v. Buffalo Color Corp., 255 A.D.2d 920, 680 N.Y.S.2d 385).

 The court properly sustained the cause of action under Labor Law § 241(6) insofar as it alleges a violation of 12 NYCRR 23-1.23(b).  That regulation, which governs the maximum slopes of earthen ramps and runways, may apply to the facts of this case depending upon whether the fall occurred on the ramp, and thus there is a triable issue of fact concerning whether defendant violated that regulation.   The court erred, however, in sustaining the cause of action insofar as it alleges a violation of 12 NYCRR 23-1.23(a).   As a matter of law, the regulation, to the extent that it is sufficiently specific to support a Labor Law § 241(6) cause of action (see, Ross v. Curtis-Palmer Hydro-Elec. Co., 81 N.Y.2d 494, 502-503, 601 N.Y.S.2d 49, 618 N.E.2d 82, supra), is inapplicable to the accident as described by claimant (cf., Doty v. Eastman Kodak Co., 229 A.D.2d 961, 962, 646 N.Y.S.2d 474, lv. dismissed in part and denied in part 89 N.Y.2d 855, 653 N.Y.S.2d 274, 675 N.E.2d 1226).

 The court properly determined that the remaining regulations relied on by claimant are inapplicable (see, Gottstine v. Dunlop Tire Corp., 272 A.D.2d 863, 709 N.Y.S.2d 259;  Motyka v. Ogden Martin Sys. [appeal No. 1], 272 A.D.2d 980, 708 N.Y.S.2d 681;  Bale v. Pyron Corp., 256 A.D.2d 1128, 684 N.Y.S.2d 393;  Gielow v. Rosa Coplon Home, 251 A.D.2d 970, 971-972, 674 N.Y.S.2d 551, lv. dismissed in part and denied in part 92 N.Y.2d 1042, 685 N.Y.S.2d 416, 708 N.E.2d 172, rearg. denied 93 N.Y.2d 889, 689 N.Y.S.2d 431, 711 N.E.2d 645).

We modify the order, therefore, by denying that part of defendant's motion seeking summary judgment dismissing the cause of action under Labor Law § 200, reinstating that cause of action, and granting that part of defendant's motion seeking summary judgment dismissing the cause of action under Labor Law § 241(6) insofar as it alleges a violation of 12 NYCRR 23-1.23(a).

Order unanimously modified on the law and as modified affirmed without costs.

MEMORANDUM: