Case Name: Charles T. Zimmer, Jr., Appellant, v. Chemung County Performing Arts, Inc., Respondent, and Elcon Contractors, Inc., et al., Defendants and Third-Party Plaintiffs-Respondents. Mac-Dan Erectors, Inc., Third-Party Defendant-Respondent; John Hunt, Respondent, v. Werner Spitz Construction Company, Inc., Defendant-Appellant and Third-Party Plaintiff-Appellant, et al., Defendant and Third-Party Plaintiff. Railing Supply Company, Inc., Third-Party Defendant-Appellant
Court: New York Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1985-07-11
Citations: 65 N.Y. 513
Docket Number: 
Parties: Charles T. Zimmer, Jr., Appellant, v Chemung County Performing Arts, Inc., Respondent, and Elcon Contractors, Inc., et al., Defendants and Third-Party Plaintiffs-Respondents. Mac-Dan Erectors, Inc., Third-Party Defendant-Respondent. John Hunt, Respondent, v Werner Spitz Construction Company, Inc., Defendant-Appellant and Third-Party Plaintiff-Appellant, et al., Defendant and Third-Party Plaintiff. Railing Supply Company, Inc., Third-Party Defendant-Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Reports
Volume: 65
Pages: 513–528

Head Matter:
Charles T. Zimmer, Jr., Appellant, v Chemung County Performing Arts, Inc., Respondent, and Elcon Contractors, Inc., et al., Defendants and Third-Party Plaintiffs-Respondents. Mac-Dan Erectors, Inc., Third-Party Defendant-Respondent. John Hunt, Respondent, v Werner Spitz Construction Company, Inc., Defendant-Appellant and Third-Party Plaintiff-Appellant, et al., Defendant and Third-Party Plaintiff. Railing Supply Company, Inc., Third-Party Defendant-Appellant.
Argued March 20, 1985;
decided July 11, 1985
POINTS OF COUNSEL
Russell T. Quinlan, Paul William Beltz and C. A. Krenzer for appellant in the first above-entitled action.
I. There was a violation of Labor Law § 240 (1) which was a proximate cause of plaintiff’s injuries, and plaintiff should have been allowed a directed verdict, and there should be a reversal as a matter of law. II. The majority opinion of the court below was incorrect. (Haimes v New York Tel. Co., 46 NY2d 132; Sarnoff v Charles Schad, Inc., 22 NY2d 180; Long v Murnane Assoc., 68 AD2d 166, 48 NY2d 776; Rea v Elia Bldg. Co., 79 AD2d 1102.) III. Section 240 applies in this case. (Smith v Hooker Chems. & Plastics Corp., 83 AD2d 199; Cardile v D’Ambrosia, 72 AD2d 544; Pereira v Herman Constr. Co., 74 AD2d 531; Haimes v New York Tel. Co., 46 NY2d 132; Brant v Republic Steel Corp., 91 AD2d 841; Rocha v State of New York, 77 Misc 2d 290.) IV. The failure of the court to charge the jury on the New York Code of Rules and Regulations issued by the Board of Standards and Appeals as they relate to the New York Labor Law was reversible error and accordingly the verdict should be set aside and a new trial ordered. (Larabee v Triangle Steel, 86 AD2d 289.) V. The trial court erred when it told the jury the New York State Labor Law was a general statute. (Larabee v Triangle Steel, 86 AD2d 289; Haimes v New York Tel. Co., 46 NY2d 132.)
Kevin M. O’Shea for respondent in the first above-entitled action.
I. The record at bar amply supports the jury verdict and the courts below properly refused to set it aside. (Koenig v Patrick Constr. Corp., 298 NY 313; Ryan v Cenci, 95 AD2d 963; Smith v Hooker Chems. & Plastics Corp., 89 AD2d 361, 58 NY2d 824; Haimes v New York Tel. Co., 46 NY2d 132; Allen v Cloutier Constr. Corp., 44 NY2d 290; Kluttz v Citron, 2 NY2d 379; Ryan v Morse Diesel, 98 AD2d 615; Larsen v Herald, 96 AD2d 1137; Cardile v D’Ambrosia, 72 AD2d 544; Sarnoff v Charles Schad, Inc., 22 NY2d 180.) II. The trial court correctly excluded consideration of both contributory fault and the administrative regulations when plaintiff withdrew his allegations under Labor Law §§ 200 and 241 (6). (Long v Forest-Fehlhaber, 55 NY2d 154; Martin v Herzog, 228 NY 164; Bland v Manocherian, 93 AD2d 689.) III. The charge to the jury was fair and accurate. (Paul v Kagan, 92 AD2d 988; Barry v Manglass, 55 NY2d 803; Krall v Shaker Ridge Country Club, 51 AD2d 481; Martin v Herzog, 228 NY 164.)
Samuel M. Hall for Eicon Contractors, Inc., defendant and third-party plaintiff-respondent in the first above-entitled action.
I. The court below was correct in upholding the decision of the trial court that, on the basis of the factual evidence presented at trial, Labor Law § 240 (1) and § 241 (4) were not applicable. (Duda v Rouse Constr. Co., 32 NY2d 405; Smith v Hooker Chems. & Plastics Corp., 89 AD2d 361, 58 NY2d 824; Phillips v Flintkote Co., 89 AD2d 724; Ryan v Cenci, 95 AD2d 963; Kahn v Gates Constr. Corp., 103 AD2d 438; Rea v Elia Bldg. Co., 79 AD2d 1102; Brant v Republic Steel Corp., 91 AD2d 841; Long v Murnane Assoc., 68 AD2d 166; Pereira v Herman Constr. Co., 74 AD2d 531; Glielmi v Toys “R” Us, 94 AD2d 663, 62 NY2d 664.) II. The court below was correct when it found no error in the trial court’s failure to instruct the jury on the applicable rules and regulations issued by the Board of Standards and Appeals because section 240 (1) and section 241 (4) are self-executing statutes. (Long v Forest-Fehlhaber, 55 NY2d 154; Martin v Herzog, 228 NY 164.) III. The court below was correct in finding no error in the court’s charge to the jury that Labor Law § 240 (1) and § 241 (4) are “general” statutes.
Stephen D. Smyk for Elsand Steel, Inc., defendant and third-party plaintiff-respondent in the first above-entitled action.
I. The complaint should properly have been dismissed as against respondent Elsand Steel, Inc. II. The charge by the trial court was fair and evenhanded, was not excepted to, and is the law of the case. (Smith v Hooker Chems. & Plastics Corp., 89 AD2d 361, 58 NY2d 824; Employers Mut. Liab. Ins. Co. v Di Cesare & Monaco Concrete Constr. Corp., 9 AD2d 379.)
Peter H. Bouman for Mac-Dan Erectors, Inc., third-party defendant-respondent in the first above-entitled action.
I. Plaintiff was not entitled to a directed verdict or to a judgment notwithstanding the verdict on the issue of liability. (Cohen v Hallmark Cards, 45 NY2d 493; Caspersen v La Sala Bros., 253 NY 491; Martin v Siegfried Constr. Co., 16 AD2d 383; Mullin v Genesee Co. Elec. Light, Power & Gas Co., 202 NY 275; Salerno v Severino, 37 Misc 2d 777, 19 AD2d 946; Brant v Republic Steel Corp., 91 AD2d 841.) II. The trial court did not commit reversible error in its charge to the jury. (Long v Forest-Fehlhaber, 55 NY2d 154; Schumer v Caplin, 241 NY 346; Martin v Siegfried Constr. Co., 16 AD2d 383.) III. Public policy does not call for reversal.
Merle M. Troeger for defendant-appellant and third-party plaintiff-appellant in the second above-entitled action.
I. The legislative history of Labor Law § 240 (1) demonstrates it was intended to protect workers from injury caused by faulty construction equipment. (Wingert v Krakauer, 76 App Div 34; Caddy v Interborough R. T. Co., 195 NY 415; Koenig v Patrick Constr. Corp., 298 NY 313; Ploof v B. I. M. Truck Serv., 53 AD2d 750.) II. The scaffolding contemplated by Labor Law § 240 (1) was not required under the facts of this case. (Rocha v State of New York, 77 Misc 2d 290, 45 AD2d 633.) III. Labor Law § 240 (1) does not require the use of catch nets or safety belts and lines. (Kenny v Fuller Co., 87 AD2d 183; Franz v Dregalla, 94 AD2d 963; Ryan v Morse Diesel, 98 AD2d 615.) IV. If Labor Law § 240 (1) is expanded to include liability in the absence of a safety device, a reliable standard of judgment outside the statute must be used. (Peddle v Turner Constr. Co., 92 AD2d 530; Kenny v Fuller Co., 87 AD2d 183; Larabee v Triangle Steel, 86 AD2d 289; Brant v Republic Steel Corp., 91 AD2d 841; Van Slyke v Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., 93 AD2d 990.) V. Regulations promulgated by the Board of Standards and Appeals do not require scaffolding, safety nets or safety belts and lines under the facts of this case. (Long v Forest-Fehlhaber, 55 NY2d 154; Haimes v New York Tel. Co., 46 NY2d 132; Allen v Cloutier Constr. Corp., 44 NY2d 290.) VI. Regulations promulgated by the occupational safety and health administration do not require scaffolding, safety nets or safety belts and lines under the facts of this case. VII. Proof of industry custom and usage was properly permitted to show whether certain devices specified by plaintiff were required. (La France v Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., 89 AD2d 757; Bland v Manocherian, 93 AD2d 689.) VIII. Where a plaintiff has an adequate safety device available to him, but declines to use it, a jury may properly find that defendants are not liable under Labor Law § 240. (Smith v Hooker Chems. & Plastics Corp., 89 AD2d 361; Phillips v Flintkote Co., 89 AD2d 724.) IX. “Proper protection” under Labor Law § 240 (1) is a question of fact for the jury. (Glielmi v Toys “R” Us, 94 AD2d 663, 62 NY2d 664; Bland v Manocherian, 93 AD2d 689; Phillips v Flintkote Co., 89 AD2d 724; Facteau v Cote, 85 AD2d 865; Kalofonos v State of New York, 115 Misc 2d 692; Duda v Rouse Constr. Corp., 32 NY2d 405; Hughes v Alvord & Swift, 55 AD2d 570; Struble v John Arborio, Inc., 74 AD2d 55; Lagzdins v United Welfare Fund-Security, 77 AD2d 585; Ryan v Cenci, 95 AD2d 963.) X. Where the trial court usurped the proper function of the jury, the jury’s verdict should be reinstated. (Olsen v Chase Manhattan Bank, 10 AD2d 539, 9 NY2d 829; Petrofsky v Drucks, 16 AD2d 690; Rudes v Walrath, 85 AD2d 914.) XI. Granting full relief to appellant, Werner Spitz Construction Co., Inc., necessarily entails granting relief to the nonappealing party, Kelview, Incorporated. (Hecht v City of New York, 60 NY2d 57; Cover v Cohen, 61 NY2d 261.)
Charles A. Hall and Eileen E. Buholtz for third-party defendant-appellant in the second above-entitled action.
I. Labor Law § 240 (1) has been improperly interpreted by the court below. (Brant v Republic Steel Corp., 91 AD2d 841; Wingert v Krakauer, 76 App Div 34; Caddy v Interborough R. T. Co., 195 NY 415; Kenny v Fuller Co., 87 AD2d 183; Franz v Dregalla, 94 AD2d 963; Ryan v Morse Diesel, 98 AD2d 615.) II. There is a division of opinion among the Appellate Divisions regarding the proper application of Labor Law § 240 (1). (Van Slyke v Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., 93 AD2d 990; DaBolt v Bethlehem Steel Corp., 92 AD2d 70; Carinha v Action Crane Corp., 58 AD2d 261; Tully v Roosevelt Props., 34 AD2d 786; Ploof v B.I.M. Truck Serv., 53 AD2d 750.) III. Whether an owner or contractor has provided an injured worker with “devices” which give “proper protection” is a question of fact for the jury to decide after it hears testimony regarding administrative safety rules and regulations and customs and usage of safety devices in the industry. (Koenig v Patrick Constr. Co., 298 NY 313; Bland v Manocherian, 93 AD2d 689; Struble v John Arborio, Inc., 74 AD2d 55; Kalofonos v State of New York, 115 Misc 2d 692; Glielmi v Toys “R” Us, 94 AD2d 663; Phillips v Flintkote Co., 89 AD2d 724; Hughes v Alvord & Swift, 55 AD2d 570; Facteau v Cote, 85 AD2d 865; Novell v Carney Elec. Constr. Corp., 123 Misc 2d 1089; McLean v L. P. W. Realty Co., 404 F Supp 711, 507 F2d 1032.) IV. Plaintiff had an adequate safety device (his own safety belt and line) available to him but refused to use it. Therefore, no liability under Labor Law § 240 (1) should attach. (Smith v Hooker Chems. & Plastics Corp., 89 AD2d 361.)
Wayne M. Harris and Melvin L. Olver for respondent in the second above-entitled action.
I. Labor Law § 240 is an absolute liability statute, enacted for the express purpose of protecting workmen from injury, and breach of the duty imposed thereby renders contractors and owners absolutely liable for injuries suffered by workers as a result of such breach, without regard to contributory negligence, “custom and usage”, “rules and regulations” or other evidence relating to a negligence standard of due or reasonable care. (Stewart v Ferguson, 164 NY 553; Caddy v Interborough R. T. Co., 195 NY 415; People ex rel. Sheldon v Board of Appeals, 234 NY 484; Quigley v Thatcher, 207 NY 66; Koenig v Patrick Constr. Corp., 298 NY 313; Sarnoff v Charles Schad, Inc., 22 NY2d 180; Haimes v New York Tel. Co., 46 NY2d 132; Major v Waverly & Ogden, 7 NY2d 332; Larabee v Triangle Steel, 86 AD2d 289; Kenny v Fuller Co., 87 AD2d 183, 58 NY2d 603.) II. Upon the showing of a violation of Labor Law § 240 (1), which “violation is the proximate cause of the injury complained of, plaintiff is entitled to a directed verdict, as a matter of law, on the issue of liability. (Smith v Hooker Chems. & Plastics Corp., 89 AD2d 361; Long v Forest-Fehlhaber, 55 NY2d 154; Monroe v City of New York, 67 AD2d 89; Larabee v Triangle Steel, 86 AD2d 289; Kenny v Fuller Co., 87 AD2d 183; Brant v Republic Steel Corp., 91 AD2d 841; Peddle v Turner Constr. Co., 92 AD2d 530; Franz v Dregalla, 94 AD2d 963; Long v Murnane Assoc., 68 AD2d 166, 48 NY2d 776; Cardile v DAmbrosia, 72 AD2d 544.)

Opinion:
OPINION OF THE COURT
Alexander, J.
We are called upon on these appeals to determine the extent to which Labor Law § 240 (l) imposes liability upon an owner or contractor who has failed to provide any safety devices for workers at a building worksite, and the absence of such devices is the proximate cause of injury to a worker. Based on the clear language of the statute and its purpose as articulated by the Legislature, we hold that an owner or contractor under these circumstances is absolutely liable in damages for injuries sustained by such worker.
In Zimmer v Chemung County Performing Arts, plaintiff, an ironworker, was injured while working as a member of a crew erecting a steel skeleton for an addition to a building owned by defendant Chemung County Performing Arts. Plaintiff's duties as a "connector" involved his assembling beams and columns that formed the skeleton. The accident occurred when plaintiff, in the manner usually employed by connectors in performing this task, scaled a 31-foot vertical column in order to direct a crane operator who was raising a horizontal beam to a position where plaintiff could reach it and effect the connection with the vertical column. In pulling himself over the top of the beam, plaintiff lost his grip and fell. He struck a horizontal beam in his descent and landed in an excavation outside of the structure's perimeter.
Ladders were present at the worksite, but none had been erected for plaintiff's specific task. In addition, it is uncontroverted that no safety devices were erected or provided to plaintiff. Defendants, the building owner and several contractors, presented evidence at trial that various devices, such as netting, metal decking and lifelines, normally are not used during the early stages of construction projects such as this where the steel skeleton has not yet been plumbed and securely bolted and that it would have been infeasible, even dangerous, to have used any such devices. At the close of the evidence, the trial court denied plaintiff's motion for a directed verdict, and the jury returned a verdict in defendants' favor. Plaintiff's motions to set aside the verdict and for a new trial were denied.
The Appellate Division, with one Justice dissenting, affirmed, holding that questions of fact as to whether defendants had violated the provisions of the Labor Law were raised by the conflicting expert testimony concerning the utility and feasibility of safety devices at this early stage of the construction, which issues of fact were properly submitted to the jury and resolved adversely to plaintiff.
In Hunt v Spitz Constr. Co., the plaintiff ironworker sustained serious injuries when he fell 25 feet from the flat roof of a building on which he was welding corrugated decking. Plaintiff sought to recover damages from Kelview, Incorporated, the owner of the property, and Werner Spitz Construction Company, Inc., the general contractor, asserting their liability grounded both in negligence and violations of Labor Law § 200, 240 (1) and § 241 (6). As in Zimmer, it is conceded that no safety device was furnished to plaintiff. Defendants introduced evidence of industry custom and usage in an attempt to establish that devices such as scaffolding, nets, safety lines and safety belts were never used on the type of building involved. They also presented evidence of various State and Federal regulations that require safety devices for work places, which they argue are either inapplicable to the situation here presented or were satisfied, thus negating any claimed violation that would constitute negligence.
Decision was reserved on plaintiff's motion for a directed verdict made at the close of the evidence and the issue of defendants' liability was submitted to the jury. The jury returned a verdict of no cause of action under either a negligence theory or violation of the Labor Law. The trial court granted plaintiff's motion to set aside the verdict and for a directed verdict on liability, reasoning that in view of the uncontroverted proof that no safety devices were provided, there was no view of the evidence by which the jury could reasonably find that defendants' failure to provide safety devices was not a contributory factor in bringing about plaintiff's injuries and thus that there was a violation of Labor Law § 240 (1). Trial Term's order and judgment were affirmed by the Appellate Division (99 AD2d 671) and the ensuing trial on damages resulted in a judgment of $450,000 for plaintiff. We granted defendants leave to appeal from the final judgment pursuant to CPLR 5602 (a) (1) (ii). We now reverse the Appellate Division's order in Zimmer and affirm the order in Hunt.
We begin our analysis by again observing that the legislative history of the Labor Law, particularly sections 240 and 241, makes clear the Legislature's intent to achieve the purpose of protecting workers by placing "ultimate responsibility for safety practices at building construction jobs where such responsibility actually belongs, on the owner and general contractor" (1969 NY Legis Ann, at 407), instead of on workers, who "are scarcely in a position to protect themselves from accident" (Koenig v Patrick Constr. Co., 298 NY 313, 318).
We gave early recognition to this legislative intent when we declared with respect to section 240, which was then substantially in its present form, that "this statute is one for the protection of workmen from injury and undoubtedly is to be construed as liberally as may be for the accomplishment of the purpose for which it was thus framed" (Quigley v Thatcher, 207 NY 66, 68, quoted in Koenig v Patrick Constr. Co., supra, at p 319).
Thus, we held unavailable to a defendant owner charged with a violation of section 240 the defense of the worker's contributory negligence, noting that "both sound reason and persuasive decisions, involving statutes whose content and purpose are similar to section 240, require the conclusion that that statute does not permit the worker's contributory negligence to be asserted as a defense [citations omitted]" (Koenig, supra, at p 317). So, too, in Joyce v Rumsey Realty Corp. (17 NY2d 118,122), in considering the liability of a contractor for a violation of section 241 (1) as it existed prior to 1962, which required that the contractor complete the flooring as the building progresses, we cited Koenig in holding that "[t]he duty imposed by the statute and violated by defendant [contractor] was 'a flat and unvarying' one '[F]or breach of that duty, thus absolutely imposed, the wrongdoer is rendered liable without regard to his care or lack of it'" (Joyce v Rumsey Realty Corp., supra, at p 122). We held that a violation of such a statute is conclusive evidence of negligence and conclusive evidence of negligence calls for a directed verdict (Joyce v Rumsey Realty Corp., supra; see, Major v Waverly & Ogden, 7 NY2d 332, 334).
Further support for the conclusion that the failure to provide any protective devices for workers at the worksite establishes an owner or contractor's liability as a matter of law is found in our previous holdings regarding the defenses available to an owner or contractor charged with a violation of section 240 (1) and the first five subdivisions of section 241, as contrasted to those available where the charge is a violation of a rule or regulation promulgated pursuant to section 241 (6). In Long v Forest-Fehlhaber (55 NY2d 154), the issue was whether the contributory (now comparative) negligence of the plaintiff is a defense in an action based upon the violation of administrative rules adopted pursuant to the authorization of section 241 (6). We held that although the Legislature had placed the ultimate responsibility for safety practices at the worksite on the owner and general contractor where such responsibility actually belonged, the owner and general contractor's "ultimate responsibility" or "ultimate liability" under section 241 (6) was "unavoidable" only in the sense that it could not be delegated to another and not in the sense that it precluded an owner or contractor from raising any defense to the imposition of liability. We held that because a "violation of the administrative rules adopted pursuant to the authorization of subdivision 6 of section 241 of the Labor Law cannot rise to the level of negligence as a matter of law, contributory negligence was, and comparative negligence now is, a defense to an action based on such a dereliction" (Long, at p 161).
We found this conclusion reinforced by the long-established principle that a rule of an administrative agency or an ordinance of a local government is merely some evidence to be considered on the question of a defendant's negligence and lacks the force and effect of a substantive legislative enactment. Thus, "[u]nlike a violation of the explicit provisions of a statute proper, a breach of an administrative rule * does not establish negligence as a matter of law, [thus it] does not render a plaintiff's own negligence irrelevant and, therefore, unacceptable as a defense [citations omitted]" (Long v Forest-Fehlhaber, supra, at p 160). We further observed that subdivision 6, which "does no more than broadly provide that the owner and contractor see to it that the area where the work is to be performed is 'so constructed, shored, equipped, guarded, arranged, operated and conducted as to provide reasonable and adequate protection and safety' does not in terms provide how these ends are to be met [and is] but a reiteration of common-law standards" (id.; citations omitted). Finally, we observed that section 241 (6) is to be contrasted with the first five subdivisions of section 241, in which specific safeguards are set out, and with section 240, "a self-executing statute which, containing its own specific safety measures, does not defer to the rule-making authority of the board (Haimes v New York Tel. Co. [48 NY2d 132])" (id., at p 160; Brant v Republic Steel Corp., 91 AD2d 841; Kenny v Fuller Co., 87 AD2d 183, lv denied 58 NY2d 603; Larabee v Triangle Steel, 86 AD2d 289; France v Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., 89 AD2d 757; Monroe v City of New York, 67 AD2d 89, 105-106). Thus, a violation of section 240 (1) or the first five subdivisions of section 241 creates absolute liability. The failure to provide any safety devices is such a violation.
In Zimmer, the claimed violations were of sections 240 (1) and 241 (4) of the Labor Law. Thus, the Appellate Division correctly observed that there was no allegation of common-law negligence, and that there was no error in the trial court's failure to instruct the jury on the applicable rules and regulations issued by the Board of Standards and Appeals. However, in light of the uncontroverted fact that no safety devices were provided at the worksite, it was error to submit to the jury for their resolution the conflicting expert opinion as to what safety devices, if any, should be used during the very early stages of the construction. Rather, a verdict of liability should have been directed in plaintiff's favor. Conversely, in Hunt, in light of the uncontroverted fact that no safety devices were provided to plaintiff at the worksite, the jury's verdict of no liability in respect to the claimed violation of section 240 (1) was unsupportable and was properly set aside.
As indicated above, where an owner or contractor fails to provide any safety devices, liability is mandated by the statute without regard to external considerations such as rules and regulations, contracts or custom and usage. Although in Hunt, evidence of custom and usage was admissible to determine the standard of care in a negligence context under the claimed violation of sections 200 and 241 (6), where injury is allegedly caused through a violation of section 240 (1), which establishes its own unvarying standard, evidence of industry practice is immaterial (cf. International Harvester Co. v Town of Ellery, 28 AD2d 1081 ["custom, usage and practice may not waive, or in effect avoid, a mandatory statute which is clear and unambiguous on its face"]). Neither section 241 (6), nor section 200, in contrast to section 240 (1), is self-executing, but rather, both require reference to outside sources to determine the standard by which a defendant's conduct must be measured. As noted by the Second Department in Kenny v Fuller Co. (87 AD2d 183, lv denied 58 NY2d 603, supra), "[t]he primary distinction between sections 240 (subd 1) and 241 (subd 6) is that the latter requires a determination of whether the safety measures actually employed on a job site were 'reasonable and adequate', while the former is mandatory in its nature and imposes absolute liability for any injury arising from its breach. The question of circumstantial reasonableness is therefore irrelevant under subdivision 1 of section 240" (id., at p 186 [citations omitted]).
To determine an owner or contractor's liability for a violation of section 240 (1) by reference to whether safety devices customarily are used, and, if so, which ones give "proper protection" would allow owners and contractors to diminish their obligations under that statute and to set their own standard of care for the protection of workers at the worksite. This would clearly contravene the legislative purpose of placing "ultimate responsibility for safety on the owner and general contractor" (1969 NY Legis Ann, at 407). As observed by Justice Mikoll, in her dissent in Zimmer, "[i]f the state of the building art is such that no devices have yet been devised to protect workers operating at such heights in dangerous work, it is illogical to conclude, given the purpose of the statute, that the responsibility of owners and contractors is then negated" (Zimmer v Chemung County Performing Arts, 102 AD2d 993, 995).
Appellants in Hunt and respondents in Zimmer contend that it is always an issue of fact whether "proper protection" has been provided under section 240 (1). However, when the evidence establishes the absence of any safety devices at the worksite, the statute's clear dictates have not been met. The mere presence of ladders or safety belts somewhere at the worksite does not establish "proper protection", leaving for the jury only the question whether the absence of safety devices was a proximate cause of the plaintiff's injury (Brant v Republic Steel Corp., 91 AD2d 841, supra). Although the plaintiff is "required to show that the violation of section 240 of the Labor Law was a contributing cause of [his accident]" (Phillips v Flintkote Co., 89 AD2d 724, 725), and this issue should be determined by the jury, where there is no view of the evidence at trial to support a finding that the absence of safety devices was not a proximate cause of the injuries, the court may properly direct a verdict in the plaintiff's favor (Rea v Elia Bldg. Co., 79 AD2d 1102; see, Duda v Rouse Constr. Corp., 32 NY2d 405, 410; Joyce v Rumsey Realty Corp., 17 NY2d 118, 122-123, supra; Heath v Soloff Constr., 107 AD2d 507, 512; Brant v Republic Steel Corp., supra). If proximate cause is established, the responsible parties have failed, as a matter of law, to "give proper protection."
Accordingly, in Zimmer v Chemung County Performing Arts, we hold that the trial court erred in denying plaintiff's motion for a directed verdict. The evidence established a breach of the statutory duty, and thus absolute liability, by defendants' failure to provide any safety devices. There is no view of the evidence by which defendants' violation of section 240 (1) could not have been a proximate cause of plaintiff's injury. Thus, a new trial is required on the issue of damages only.
For the same reasons, in Hunt v Spitz Constr. Corp., we affirm the judgment appealed from and the Appellate Division order brought up for review which affirmed the granting to plaintiff of judgment notwithstanding the verdict.
. Labor Law § 240 (1) provides, in pertinent part: "1. All contractors and owners and their agents, except owners of one and two-family dwellings who contract for but do not direct or control the work, in the erection, demolition, repairing, altering, painting, cleaning or pointing of a building or structure shall furnish or erect, or cause to be furnished or erected for the performance of such labor, scaffolding, hoists, stays, ladders, slings, hangers, blocks, pulleys, braces, irons, ropes, and other devices which shall be so constructed, placed and operated as to give proper protection to a person so employed."
. Labor Law § 241 (4) provides that:
"All contractors and owners and their agents when constructing or demolishing buildings or doing any excavating in connection therewith, shall comply with the following requirements:

"4. If the floor beams are of iron or steel, the entire tier of iron or steel beams on which the structural iron or steel work is being erected shall be thoroughly planked over, except spaces reasonably required for proper construction of the iron or steel work, for raising or lowering of materials or for stairways and elevator shafts designated by the plans and specifications."