QUESTION OF FACT WHETHER PLAINTFF SLIPPED AND FELL ON ICE OR SNOW IN AN AREA WHICH HAD BEEN CLEARED SUCH THAT IT CONSTITUTED A “PASSAGEWAY” WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDUSTRIAL CODE RE: THIS LABOR LAW 241(6) ACTION (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department determined there was a question of fact in this Labor Law 241(6) action about whether the area where plaintiff slipped and fell on ice or snow was a “passageway” within the meaning of the Industrial Code:

This personal injury action stems from injuries sustained by plaintiff when he allegedly slipped and fell on snow or ice while walking from an area on a roof, where he was performing mason work, to its exit. …

“Although the regulations do not define the term ‘passageway’ . . . , courts have interpreted the term to mean a defined walkway or pathway used to traverse between discrete areas as opposed to an open area” … . …

The record contains competing evidence as to the location of the accident, whether a path had been cleared so that workers could safely walk between the stairway and the location on the roof where the work was being performed and whether it was necessary for plaintiff to traverse the area where he allegedly fell. …

If, as defendants claim, plaintiff’s accident occurred outside of the passageway or pathway defendants claim existed, then issues of fact exist as to whether it was necessary for plaintiff to traverse that area as part of his work … . Venezia v LTS 711 11th Ave., 2022 NY Slip Op 00152, First Dept 1-11-22