Opinion ID: 2091058
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: findings of negligence

Text: The school claims the trial court erred in finding the school negligent in several respects. First, the school claims the trial court erred in finding that the school was negligent in allowing Christopher to wear an untreated cotton-flannel shirt while welding. The school claims that under ANSI Z49.1-94, E4.3, it is not mandatory that cotton clothing be chemically treated and that thus, the school did not breach its duty by allowing Christopher to wear the untreated shirt. However, negligence must be measured against the particular set of facts and circumstances which are present in each case. Hearon v. May, 248 Neb. 887, 540 N.W.2d 124 (1995); Brahatcek v. Millard School District, 202 Neb. 86, 273 N.W.2d 680 (1979). Students in the welding class were not professional welders and had not perfected their welding techniques. Colver testified that in a school setting, when dealing with students who have less appreciation of welding hazards than a professional welder, the safest possible setting should be provided. Chemical treatment reduces the risk of cotton clothing becoming ignited. The court recognized the importance of the particular circumstances of this case in finding that the school breached its duty of care by allowing inexperienced welders to wear untreated cotton shirts. Although ANSI Z49.1-94, E4.3, may not make wearing chemically treated cotton mandatory, we cannot say that the trial court's finding of negligence was clearly wrong based on the evidence. The school next asserts that the trial court erred in finding that the school was negligent in failing to ensure students wore proper clothing. However, there is competent evidence in the record that students were not properly informed about the type of protective clothing to wear, that they were not prevented from welding regardless of what they were wearing, and that Hastings never inspected what types of clothing students wore. The trial court found that under the circumstances, the school was negligent in failing to ensure that students wore proper clothing. Based on the evidence, the trial court's finding in this respect was not clearly wrong. The school further claims the trial court erred in finding the school negligent in failing to provide students and parents with sufficient information about protective clothing. The trial court found that even though Hastings was aware that ANSI Z49.1-94, E4.3, recommended that cotton clothing be chemically treated if used for protection, he never provided this information to students or parents, which would have allowed them to make an informed choice as to the type of clothing to select. The record shows that Hastings provided no information to parents regarding protective clothing. Based on the evidence, the trial court's finding of negligence was not clearly wrong. Finally, the school asserts that the trial court erred in finding that the school was negligent by failing to provide leather aprons for students to wear while welding. The school claims leather aprons were not required by ANSI Z49.1-94. However, ANSI Z49.1-94, § 4.3.3, provides, Durable flame-resistant aprons made of leather or other suitable materials shall be used to protect the front of the body when additional protection against sparks and radiant energy is needed. The court noted in its order that the handouts students were given depicted a welder wearing leather clothing, recommended that leather aprons or jackets be worn, and provided no alternatives if leather clothing was not provided. Based on a review of these handouts, the court determined that a leather apron would have covered the area where Christopher's shirt caught fire, and had Christopher been wearing an apron, he would not have been burned. The trial court's finding that the school was negligent in failing to provide leather aprons, considered in the light most favorable to the successful parties, was not clearly wrong. See Johnson v. School Dist. of Millard, 253 Neb. 634, 573 N.W.2d 116 (1998).