Document: 350 U.S. 247 76 S.Ct. 330 100 L.Ed. 267 Morris STEINER, Harry Lightman, Mitchell Magid et al., etc., Petitioners,v.James P. MITCHELL, Secretary of Labor, United States Department Labor. No. 22. Argued Nov. 16, 1955. Decided Jan. 30, 1956. Mr. Cecil Sims, Nashville, Tenn., for petitioners. Bessie Margolin, Washington, D.C., respondent. Chief Justice WARREN delivered the opinion Court. 1 This case raises an issue coverage under Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended by Portal-to-Portal Act 1947, 29 U.S.C.A. §§ 201 seq., 251 with respect to work performed before or after direct productive labor which worker is primarily paid. 2 The precise question whether workers in a battery plant must be paid part their 'principal' activities time incident changing clothes at beginning shift and showering end, where they make extensive use dangerously caustic toxic materials, are compelled circumstances, including vital considerations health had hygiene, change shower facilities state law requires employer provide, these 'preliminary' 'postliminary' within meaning and, therefore, not included measuring compensation required Act. 3 contending that so covered, brought this action District Court Middle Tennessee enjoin petitioners from violating overtime record-keeping requirements Sections 7 11(c) 1938, amended, employment production workers, Section 15(a)(1) making interstate shipments goods produced such workers. 4 gave judgment plaintiff, Appeals Sixth Circuit affirmed. 215 F.2d 171, 172. Because importance interpretation portal-to-portal provisions administration because conflict between circuits on subject, v. King Packing Co., 9 Cir., 216 618, we granted certiorari Both cases, 349 914, 75 605, 99 1248. 5 There no back pay involved here limited its prospective relief. Nor normal conditions Government concedes ordinarily constitute excluded compensable contemplated It contends, however, circumstances integral indispensable batteries, 'principal activity' employees were engaged, are, relevant 6 own operate engaged manufacturing automotive-type wet storage batteries sell commerce. All employees, those whom concerned, customarily near various chemicals used plant. These include lead metal, oxide, sulphate, peroxide, sulphuric acid. Some liquid form; some powder form, solid. In process, materials go through changes give off dangerous fumes. spilled dropped, thus become dust air. general, permeate entire everything everyone it. Lead compounds human beings. Regular exposure atmosphere containing 1.5 milligrams more per 10 cubic meters regarded medical profession hazardous involving possibility intoxication poisoning. plants, one, it 'almost impossible,' was testified, keep concentration air 'within absolutely safe limits,' petitioners' 'lead oxide floor plates handled.' Abnormal concentrations discovered bodies insurance doctor recommended segregated customary duties. primary ways poisoning contracted inhalation ingestion; i.g., taking particles nose mouth, open cut sore, any other body cavity. risk 'very great' even exists outside fumes prevalent attach themselves skin, clothing hair employees. Even families may placed danger if home workers' shoes. Sulphuric acid also hazard. irritating skin can cause severe burns. When contacts clothing, causes disintegration rapid deterioration. Moreover, effects employee susceptible than he would otherwise contamination compounds. Petitioners, like manufacturers, try minimize hazards ventilation, but industrial experts agreement ventilation alone sufficient avoid dangers Safe operation removal end period. has recognized hygiene programs industry, purpose. Tenn.Code Ann. (Williams 1934), 1952 Supp., 5788.15. addition, Workmen's Compensation 6851—6901, covers petitioners, makes occupational disease, 6852(d). order comply statute, carry insurance, 6895, protect against liability, carrier accept defendants refused have clothes-changing 8 Accordingly, place possible thereby increase efficiency operation, equipped locker room separate lockers street clothing. Also, furnish without charge old clean wear. cost providing prohibitive since deterioration sometimes last only few days. Employees regularly into period, period.1 Petitioners issued written instructions testified foreman declared signed statement 'In afternoon men company take bath might absorbed blood stream. protects both.' do record spend activities, found amount thirty minutes day, ten morning twenty afternoon, each They challenge concurrent findings courts below performance integrally related thereto. contend fall concept that, being line regular hours, beyond protection 11 trial court held 'are made necessary nature performed'; fulfill 'mutual obligations' employees; 'directly benefit' business, closely duties (petitioners') thereof among principal said employees.' concluded consumed constitutes worked affirmed, likewise holding term "principal activity activities" 42 embraces all 'an activities,' category. 12 With conclusion, agree. 13 designed meet 'existing emergency' resulting claims which, allowed accordance Anderson Mt. Clemens Pottery 328 680, 66 1187, 90 1515, created 'wholly unexpected liabilities, immense retroactive operation.'3 purpose fulfilled enactment 2.4 specifically effect services rendered becomes final. We not, concerned 2, inapplicable actions relating May 14, 1947. 14 language free ambiguity legislative history importance. That originated House bill, provision comparable 4, rather similar treatment claims; i.e., excluding except contract custom industry. H.R.Rep. 326, 80th Cong., 1st Sess. 12. Conference Report stated follows Senate bill. S.Rep. 48, 48. Senate, colloquy several Senators Senator Cooper, sponsor bill member three-man subcommittee hearings Committee Judiciary reported it, demonstrates intended essential employees.5 15 conflicting House,6 discussion clear body, persuasive. 16 1949, 3(o) added Act.7 sides apparently comfort position strengthened implication washing, activity, expressly agreement. congressional understanding scope further marked fact Congress enacted 16(c)8 same time, hearing Administrator his outstanding certain preparatory performance.9 17 On whole clear, think, while outlaw prior 1947 wages based unless provided including, course, hours work, did intend deprive benefits activities. Had result urged petitioner, very different been unnecessary; could given well effect. 18 We, conclude either shift, line, covered workmen employed 4(a) (1). 19 find difficulty fitting facts conclusion difficult conjure up instance clearly 20 21 Affirmed. APPENDIX TO OPINION OF THE COURT. COLLOQUY BETWEEN SENATOR COOPER AND OTHER SENATORS. 22 'Mr. Cooper. * Before upon lathe contract, should commence scheduled hour, say o'clock when began run, apply energy casting block lathe. After interpretations Wage Hour Administrator, sharpening tools, oiling machinery, preparing machinery compensate believe words preserved rights privileges him our performance, activity. And examples report. 23 McGrath. I think point definitely contribution what doing here. Am correct majority committee proposes shall considered act rest day's work? 24 read report, connection, phrases employs adopted committee. page 48 definition activity,' words: 25 "It will observed particular commences ceases workday. activities' includes illustrated following examples: 26 "1. connection frequently commencement workday oil, grease, machine, install new cutting tool. Such term. 27 "2. garment textile mill, who report 30 during distributes parts work-benches gets machines readiness employee.' 28 'We provides receive Then reiterating means spent type expressed hereafter time. certainly so, 31 innumerable instances operations two examples. one moment. chemical plants put special workday, baths leave. Does regard coming workday? 32 am happy asked question, gives opportunity drawing fine distinction consider compensable. intention perform putting clothes, then hand, merely convenience directly specific compensable.' 93 Cong.Rec. 2297—2298. 33 Barkley. Suppose man machinist mechanic kind. He o'clock. Let us assume moment organization. enter actual labor, termed employment, employment. But let suppose grounds shop 7:30 half hour tools himself colleagues factory work. Can anybody 40-hour work-week complied with, Act? If every instead working day 1/2 day. works days week, 40 week 50 control employer, belong abide orders run discharge 34 'Is preliminary; or, close there practice extra done command? 35 distinguished perhaps me exact situation, nearly probably cited, discussed. framers compensable, activity.' 2350. exception injured who, infection wounded foot common shower, bathed about five blocks 'Sec. 4. '(a) Except subsection (b), subject liability punishment Walsh-Healey Bacon-Davis account failure minimum wages, compensation, date Act— '(1) walking, riding, traveling perform, '(2) preliminary postliminary occur commences, subsequent ceases, '(b) Notwithstanding (a) relieve relieved either— express nonwritten effect, employee, agent, collective-bargaining representative employer; establishment employed, covering inconsistent employer.' 61 Stat. 86, U.S.C. § 254, 254. 1(a), 84, 251(a), 251(a). 2. No (in proceeding commenced (May 1947)), employer. *' 85, 252, 252. See quoted appendix opinion. 335. Remarks Representative Gwynne, 4388 4389; Walter, id., Michener, ibid. 3(o). Hours Worked.—In determining purposes sections washing measured terms bona fide applicable 63 911, 203(o), 203(o). 16(c). Any order, regulation, Division entered Secretary, effective remain interpretation, be, pursuant extent modified, rescinded Act.' 920, 208 note. CFR 790.8.

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