Felch v. Allen

98 Mass. 572 | Mass. | 1868

Hoar, J.

The evidence reported does not show that the cause of the plaintiff’s injury was anything which the defendants 01 either of them had provided to be used by him in the manner in which he used it; or which they knew or had any reason to suppose he would use in that manner. He was not directed or expected to go upon the elevator, by either of the defendants, or by any person authorized by them to direct him ; and he showed affirmatively that his injury was the result of his own imprudence and want of due care.

The report finds that the plaintiff and Hussey were employed by one of the defendants; that Hussey was directed by the foreman to move some “chair stuff” from the basement to the attic of the mill, and the plaintiff was directed to help him; that, when they had carried part of it by the stairs, Hussey proposed' that they should use the elevator, and proposed that the plaintiff should go up on it to steady some plank which they were sending up; that the plaintiff had never used the elevator before, or seen it used; and that it was not in a safe condition. But the plaintiff’s evidence showed that it was improper and unsafe for any person to go up or down in the elevator; and there was no proof that it was ever designed or intended for such a use, or that either of the defendants knew, or had reason to suppose, that any of the men went up or down upon it.

The case, then, is simply this: that two servants of a common master are employed upon the same work; that one of them, without authority from his employer, directs the other to use a machine for a dangerous and improper purpose, for which it was not intended or provided; and that he complies, and receives an injury. There is no principle of law which will make the employer answerable for the damages in such a case.

The employer is bound to adopt and provide suitable means and instruments to carry oh his business ; and if he fails to use reasonable care and skill in making this provision, he is responsible to his servants for an injury to them caused by his negligence in this respect. Snow v. Housatonic Railroad Co. 8 Allen 441, and cases there cited. But if the servants undertake to use machinery or instruments for purposes for which they were not designed, and for which the employer had no reason to suppose they would be used, it is their own fault or folly if harm comes from it. In Stewart v. Harvard College, 12 Allen, 58, the liability of the defendants was supported upon the express ground that the elevator was constantly used for the passage of persons up and down, and that it was properly incident to the business of raising and lowering goods that persons should go up and down on the elevator with them. From this an obligation to furnish a safe passage to persons upon it was derived. But, in the case at bar, no such obligation was shown, nor was there any evidence that Hussey was an agent of the defendants with autnority to send the plaintiff upon the elevator.

Judgment for the defendants.