GEORGE v. HUBER HUNT NICHOLS INC (1997)

 Supreme Court properly denied defendant's motion for summary judgment dismissing the Labor Law § 240(1) and § 241(6) causes of action and properly granted plaintiff's cross motion for partial summary judgment on liability under Labor Law § 240(1).   Plaintiff, working at a height of 20 feet, was injured when he attempted to move from a vertical column to a horizontal beam.   After falling approximately three feet, he saved himself from falling further by grabbing the bottom flange of the horizontal beam.   Plaintiff dangled in the air, holding the beam with one hand, until he was able to maneuver himself back to the vertical column and then to the ground below.   The court properly found that the work involved a risk related to differences in elevation under Labor Law § 240(1) (see, Smith v. Artco Indus. Laundries, 222 A.D.2d 1028, 635 N.Y.S.2d 884;  Brown v. Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., 188 A.D.2d 1014, 591 N.Y.S.2d 908).  “It is of no consequence that plaintiff allegedly sustained injuries as he prevented himself from falling further” (Smith v. Artco Indus. Laundries, supra, at 1028, 635 N.Y.S.2d 884).   Likewise, the court properly denied defendant's motion with respect to Labor Law § 241(6);  plaintiff alleged a violation of 12 NYCRR 23-1.7(d), which sets forth a specific standard of conduct (see, Ramski v. Zappia Enters., 229 A.D.2d 990, 645 N.Y.S.2d 364;  Ciraolo v. Melville Ct. Assocs., 221 A.D.2d 582, 634 N.Y.S.2d 205;  see generally, Ross v. Curtis-Palmer Hydro-Elec. Co., 81 N.Y.2d 494, 601 N.Y.S.2d 49, 618 N.E.2d 82).   That subdivision “contain[s] ‘specific, positive command[s]’ that surpass the ‘routine incorporation of the ordinary tort duty of care into the Commissioner's regulations' ” (Colucci v. Equitable Life Assur. Socy. of U.S., 218 A.D.2d 513, 515, 630 N.Y.S.2d 515).

Order unanimously affirmed without costs.

MEMORANDUM: