LEO v. ARTCO CONTRACTING INC (1999)

 Michael A. Leo (plaintiff), an employee of third-party defendant, Niagara Erecting, Inc. (Niagara), was injured when he fell approximately 40 feet while erecting a beam of structural steel.   Plaintiffs allege that plaintiff fell when struck by a beam of iron or steel that was being hoisted by a crane to his location.   It is undisputed that plaintiff was not tied off to a safety line or other object at the time of the accident.   Because factual issues exist whether adequate and proper safety devices were provided to protect plaintiff from falling, Supreme Court erred in granting plaintiffs' motion for partial summary judgment on liability under Labor Law § 240(1) (see, Kulp v. Gannett Co. [Appeal No. 1], 259 A.D.2d 969, 687 N.Y.S.2d 840).   Thus, we reverse the order in appeal No. 1 and deny plaintiffs' motion.

 The court also erred in granting the cross motion of defendant-third-party plaintiff Artco Contracting, Inc. (Artco) for summary judgment seeking a conditional order of common-law indemnification against Niagara.   Factual issues exist whether Artco was negligent in conducting the safety meeting on the morning prior to plaintiff's accident and in advising ironworkers regarding the weather that day, thereby precluding summary judgment on the issue of Artco's entitlement to common-law indemnification (see, Eastman v. Volpi Mfg. USA, Co., 229 A.D.2d 913, 645 N.Y.S.2d 214).   Thus, we modify the order in appeal No. 2 by denying the cross motion of Artco.

Order unanimously reversed on the law without costs and motion denied.

MEMORANDUM: