Opinion ID: 1803717
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Intrinsically Dangerous Work

Text: Stovall's third allegation is that the trial court erred because, she argues, genuine issues of material fact existed as to whether the work of painting the interior of the rocket was intrinsically dangerous. This allegation lacks merit as well. As stated above, a general contractor is liable for injuries to a third person where the work is `of such kind or class that the doing of it, however carefully or skillfully performed, will probably result in damage, or is necessarily and intrinsically dangerous.' Knight, 331 So.2d at 655 (quoting Baker v. Atlanta B. & A. Ry., 163 Ala. at 105, 49 So. at 752). We explained the concept of intrinsically dangerous work in Boroughs v. Joiner, 337 So.2d 340 (Ala.1976). The risk posed by such an activity `inheres in the performance of the contract and results directly from the work to be done, not from the collateral negligence of the contractor.' Boroughs, 337 So.2d at 342 (quoting 41 Am.Jur.2d Independent Contractors § 41) (emphasis added). Such work involves a `special danger' that is `inherent in or normal to the work.' Boroughs, 337 So.2d at 342 (quoting Restatement (Second) of Torts § 427 (1965)). Intrinsically dangerous work is work fraught with danger, no matter how skillfully or carefully it is performed. 41 Am.Jur.2d Independent Contractors § 54. This Court has previously found certain actions to be intrinsically dangerous  the application of a highly caustic paint remover, Jones v. Power Cleaning Contractors, 551 So.2d 996, 999 (Ala.1989); the aerial spraying of a pesticide, Boroughs, 337 So.2d at 343; and the use of dynamite, Bankers Fire & Marine Ins. Co. v. Bukacek, 271 Ala. 182, 190, 123 So.2d 157, 164 (1960). We cannot say that any work done by Elee on the night of his death constituted intrinsically dangerous work. First, common sense dictates that painting from a ladder is simply not dangerous work, so long as the most rudimentary care is taken. Thus, this is not the sort of work where there is some risk of injury even when the worker exercises the utmost care and attention. Further, we have held that similar work was not intrinsically dangerous. In Barron v. Construction One, supra , a sheet-metal worker fell from an eight-foot ladder. We found no evidence, even under the old scintilla of evidence standard, that working from a ladder was intrinsically dangerous. Barron, 514 So.2d at 1353. Likewise, in Drennen Co. v. Jordan, 181 Ala. 570, 573, 61 So. 938, 939 (1913), we held that to paint the inside walls of a building, where they may be reached from an ordinary stepladder, is not to engage in the performance of a work necessarily and intrinsically dangerous to any one. [4] Stovall did not present substantial evidence indicating that working from a ladder, painting, or even performing such work at night, is intrinsically dangerous. Turner owed Elee no duty by virtue of the type of activity he was performing at the time of the accident.