Document: 350 U.S. 318 76 S.Ct. 386 100 L.Ed. 364 W. A. SHIELDS, Petitioner,v.ATLANTIC COAST LINE RAILROAD COMPANY. No. 150. Argued Jan. 19, 1956. Decided Feb. 27, Mr. Truman M. Hobbs, Montgomery, Ala., for petitioner. Norman C. Shepard, Wilmington, N.C., respondent. Justice MINTON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Petitioner, an independent contractor in business unloading gasoline, was instructed by consignee to unload a tank car gasoline which had been hauled respondent Atlantic Coast Line and located at time on siding respondent's freight yards. In order release through hose attached bottom car, it necessary go dome top remove cap, open valve inside dome. While petitioner his helper were engaged opening valve, board they standing broke fell, sustaining injuries. There is no dispute that defective. It wooden over seven feet long side near just below means two triangular steel braces extending from either end board. 2 The question presented here whether this device, convenience we shall call running board, safety appliance within meaning §§ 3 Safety Appliance Act 1910. April 14, 1910, c. 160, 3, 36 Stat. 298, 45 U.S.C. 11 12, U.S.C.A. 11, 12. Petitioner brought suit District Court, alleging one count amended complaint absolute liability violation second common-law negligence. jury returned general verdict favor. Court Appeals reversed remanded new trial negligence alone, holding court erred instructing appliance. 220 F.2d 242.1 We granted certiorari because importance questions raised as proper interpretation Act. 819, 61. 4 Section 1910 provides part: 5 '* * all cars requiring secure ladders boards be equipped with such *.' provides: 6 'That six months passage Interstate Commerce Commission, after hearing, designate number, dimensions, location, manner application appliances provided section thereafter said designated commission remain standards equipment used subject provisions Act, unless changed Commission failure comply any requirement like penalty *.'2 7 Under authority § 1911 promulgated regulations still force providing detail around perimeter, or least full length sides, cars.3 Such enables trainman walk between adjoining end. make mention whatever name boards. nevertheless contends required affording him protection under 2. 8 obvious purpose provide flooring those who must perform operations connection Clearly has major loading operations. But railroad man twenty-five years' experience testified also may stand pass hand signals repair minor troubles occurring while train en route. integrated part exterior car;4 functions permanently outside 'floor' car. testimony showed men, including employees often refer hold comes term 'running boards' 9 fact its not specified uniform binding administrative determination are purposes reason omission apparently Commission's view only moving need standardized. there showing purport exhaust implication each category statutory listed Omission itself shows more than standardized possible Davis v. Manry, 266 401, 163, 69 350, consistent our view. interpreted language grab irons 'on their roofs' 'cars having ladders' apply roofs. then pointed standardize iron ladder tender without roof supporting 'practical construction' section. Moreover, case, ladder, alternative but interpret word 'roofs' standardizing it. Here practical construction implied standardize. 10 Even if properly characterized that, since refers boards,' constitutes uniformity location characteristics upon working 'always, haste, darkness storm,' 'instinctively' rely hazards employment. Illinois Central R. Co. Williams, 242 462, 466, 37 128, 129, 61 437.5 Effectuation would require standardization extend cars. considerations expertise 'always applicable effectuation latter 'to convert legal duty exercising ordinary care provide' 'requiring (them) use' into 'statutory, imperative duty, making them 'secure." supra. does follow furnished safe use although sweep Clearly, work necessarily have security unhesitating reliance characteristics. Williams supra, held power postpone effective date did suspend railroad's secure. required, teaching case action commands See Southern Pac. Carson, Cir., 169 734, liable defects club help turn brake wheel where complied regulations, made club. conclude mean To otherwise relieve railroads whenever adopted yet Commission. 12 Both manufacturer considered industry recognized Association American Railroads standards, largely identical contain detailed specifications boards,6 compliance interchange lines.7 simply happened there, duties safely, performance essential operation At best, represent minimum equipment, prohibition additional appliances. If makers Cf. Texas & Pacific Rigsby, 241 33, 37, 482, 483, 60 874. 13 brief filed here, designed insure movement 2, and, therefore, cannot No cited support construction. Nothing legislative history indicates should read so narrowly. Whether afford appropriate guide deciding 3. import distinction deny humane benefits dangerous moving. limited train. safe, pursuant 14 merit contention employees, owed Having he member class whose benefit device statute. As him, statute therefore result liability. Coray Co., 335 520, 275, 93 208; Brady Terminal Railroad Ass'n, 303 10, 58 426, 82 614; Fairport, P. E.R. Meredith, 292 589, 54 826, 78 1446; Louisville N.R. Layton, 243 617, 456, 931. judgment reinstated. 15 Reversed. 16 HARLAN took consideration decision case. 17 REED, whom FRANKFURTER BURTON join, dissenting. 18 ultimate defective platform1 caused petitioner's injury 11. holds platform board' involved 'requiring' platform. 19 First, can hardly appears every regulated principally by, of, trainmen motion. Certainly indication legislation meant regulate devices employed cars; nothing base belief cars, platform, covered might loosely spoken appear falls technical definition trade. A 'plane surface, special metal structure, run on.'2 give convenient access 20 However, principal ground I dissent aside Assuming is, violated Pursuant assumption, will though words 'dome platforms' place boards.' even prohibited So far pertinent 'all (viz., platforms) congressional mandate merely carriers platforms them. other Therefore, inquiry narrows 'required' 21 indicate determining (dome platforms), thus specify platforms, any, appliances.3 'the *'4 designations Commission.5 seems inescapable, matter logic, gave determine, among things, how many placed, thereby determine assumed ambiguous matter, leave courts types except sill steps hand-brakes, revealed ad hoc. creation uncertainties favored. existence expert requirements industry, coupled explicit delegation number seem difficult anything Congress responsible insurers courts, required. This clear Code sections, codified issued. 22 leads me examine previously noted, prescribe set forth Nowhere (49 CFR 131.1 et seq.) cars.6 follows platforms. absence presence condition, constitute Of course, could impunity employ insecure That supplant basic law negligence, preserved right recovery 23 prescribes standards7 suggest different result. entrusted enforcement reach; commendable instance beyond am correct determinations 24 never before specifically regulation treated governed issue ruled accordance Vermont Perry, 132. affirmatively respect footboard across rear tender. Without evidently assumption was, said: 25 'As supplements do shifting engine one, instruction jury.' Id., page 137. 26 position herein expressed contrary 437. handhold boxcar. them, ladders,' handholds ladders. commented 'A box 464, 128. understand apart determination, boxcars most comment dictum, clearly decide ladder. 'having roofs later issued designating boxcars. extension five years therein prescribed, nonetheless constituted For similar reasons Teaxs 874, dissent. Atchison, T. S.F.R. Scarlett, 300 471, 57 541, 81 748. 27 Finally, continuing assume now further indicated. these circumstances, normal rule, great given act agency administer it.8 observed, prescribing omit Thus understood, reasonable believe regulations. request advised much less Following Court's ruling 'construction Commission—the tribunal solicitous enforce it—' followed. pages 404—405, 164. 28 affirmed. against Railway co-defendant, delivering carrier dismissed. United States omits, presumably executed, containing command original 49 131.8(b), 131.9(c), 131.7 covers 'Tank contains provision come 131.7. Car Builders' Cyclopedia (18th ed. 1949—1951), 249 254, especially diagrams, 252—253, called platform,' present H.R.Rep. 61st Cong., 2d Sess; S.Rep. 250, Sess. A.A.R. Appliances Tank Cars Built May 1, 1917, (19th 1953), 938, 939—942. Rules Interchange Traffic (1952 ed.), 3(s) (1), 3(r)(7). denominated 1949—1951) 253. 1953) 51. Substantially same eighteen editions volume, first published 1879 'The Car-Builders' Dictionary.' edition alleviate 'inconvenience, confusion, delay want common names parts (railroad) cars.' Preface, Car-Builder's Dictionary (1879). note does, however, handbrakes. 'All efficient brakes (Italics supplied.) 'sill steps' 'hand brakes' include falling terms when generically, meet standard 'secure' 'efficient.' 734. quoted phrase corresponding omitted being fully executed compiled. became Paril Thus, until October 13, adopt order. Subsequently, March 1911, another superseding seq. terms, July three final promulgation lag, actual contemplated, I.C.C. determinations. 131.8(b) 131.9(c) relating clear, well conceded, subsections sort 939—942; 3(s)(1), Trucking Ass'ns, 310 534, 549, 1059, 1067, 84 1345.

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