Opinion ID: 1702971
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Admissibility of OSHA Standards

Text: ¶ 18. Accu-Fab also argues that the Court of Appeals erred in finding that the trial court properly allowed OSHA standards to be admitted in conflict with this Court's decision in Sumrall v. Mississippi Power Co., 693 So.2d 359 (Miss.1997). The Court of Appeals found that the OSHA standards were admissible to show the reasonableness of the actions of Accu-Fab and Anderson and whether they were consistent with industry standards. Accu-Fab & Constr., Inc. v. Ladner, No. 96-CA-00692-COA (Miss.Ct.App. Mar. 14, 2000). ¶ 19. In Sumrall, we held that OSHA regulations are not admissible to show negligence on the part of the defendant. In so doing we stated: We are persuaded by the district court's reasoning and hold that, in light both of it and of this Court's clearly stated rule that governmental codes and regulations are not admissible unless given compulsory force by the state legislature, evidence of OSHA regulations is not admissible to show negligence. Sumrall, 693 So.2d at 367. ¶ 20. However, M.R.E. 105 provides that evidence not admissible for one purpose may be admissible for another purpose provided a proper limiting instruction is given. When evidence which is admissible as to one party or for one purpose but not admissible as to another party or for another purpose is admitted, the court, upon request, shall restrict the evidence to its proper scope and instruct the jury accordingly. M.R.E. 105. ¶ 21. In the present case, the OSHA regulations were not admitted to show negligence on the part of Anderson and Accu-Fab, but rather they were admitted only to be used as a measure of reasonable care consistent with industry standards. Furthermore, there was a proper limiting instruction given by the trial court. [T]he admission or suppression of evidence is within the discretion of the trial judge and will not be reversed absent an abuse of that discretion. Sumrall, 693 So.2d at 366 (citing General Motors Corp. v. Jackson, 636 So.2d 310, 314 (Miss.1992)); Walker v. Graham, 582 So.2d 431, 432 (Miss.1991). We cannot say that the trial court abused its discretion in admitting evidence concerning the OSHA regulations to be admitted for limited purposes in this instance; and therefore, we find this issue to be without merit.