Opinion ID: 2765413
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Paint-Stripping Project, March-May 2010

Text: Because the defendants moved for summary judgment, we present the facts in the light most favorable to plaintiff Moore, construing all reasonable inferences in his favor. In spring 2010, the construction and remodeling section of ACI, a division of the Alabama DOC, was involved in the Alabama Historical Commission’s restoration of the historic Wheeler House near Courtland, Alabama. The project encompassed a two-acre site and involved removing lead-based paint from multiple structures that were more than one hundred years old. A number of inmate crews were assigned through ACI to work on the Wheeler House restoration project. Moore worked on the Wheeler House project for a two-month period from March 10, 2010 to May 12, 2010. 1 Although Moore filed his action against “Andy Faurquire,” the record indicates that this defendant’s last name properly is spelled “Farquhar.” 3 Case: 14-11201 Date Filed: 12/30/2014 Page: 4 of 13 All ACI inmates who performed lead-based paint removal work accepted the position voluntarily and were free to change jobs if they felt uncomfortable performing the work. Before starting the work, inmates were required to undergo training and receive certification to perform lead-based paint removal through the University of Alabama’s Safe State program. Moore participated in this training on September 23 and 24, 2009 and received his certification at the conclusion of the training. The training covered equipment, chemicals, routine processes, and safety issues involved in lead-based paint removal. Additionally, medical staff examined Moore in that same month and cleared him to wear a respirator, which generally is required to conduct lead-based paint removal. Defendants Johnson and Martin served as onsite supervisors for the ACI lead-based paint removal project at the Wheeler House. Johnson was certified to supervise lead-based paint removal. Martin did not have supervisory certification but had received a worker-class certification to remove lead-based paint. Johnson and Martin ensured that proper protective gear was onsite for inmate crews and directed the inmates to use the gear for any work involving potential exposure to lead dust or chemicals. Johnson and Martin would reprimand—and terminate, if necessary—any inmate caught not using proper protective gear. Because of the size of the project site, each individual inmate was not directly supervised at all times. Defendant Farquhar, ACI’s director, visited the Wheeler House project site 4 Case: 14-11201 Date Filed: 12/30/2014 Page: 5 of 13 on June 2, 2010 and witnessed inmates wearing protective gear while performing paint removal. In sworn pleadings,2 Moore alleged that, for a period of one week during his time working on the Wheeler House project, he was forced to apply paint stripper wearing only a flip-down face shield. When he requested a respirator, Johnson and Martin refused and told him that Farquhar would not provide a respirator for that type of work. 3 Moore continued the work without a respirator. To defendant Warden Carter’s knowledge, Moore never complained to her or any other Community Based Facility staff concerning his work on the Wheeler House project. There is no evidence that Moore asked to be reassigned to another job.