Powell v. American Sheet & Tin Plate Co.
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Appeal, No. 52, Oct. T., 1906, by defendant, from judgment of O. P. No. 3, Allegheny Co., Nov. Term, 1904, No. 11, on verdict for plaintiff in case of George A. Powell v. American Sheet & Tin Plate Company. Trespass to recover damages for personal injuries. Before Evans, J. The circumstances relating to the accident are stated in the opinion of the Supreme Court.
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Appeal, No. 52, Oct. T., 1906, by defendant, from judgment of O. P. No. 3, Allegheny Co., Nov. Term, 1904, No. 11, on verdict for plaintiff in case of George A. Powell v. American Sheet & Tin Plate Company. Trespass to recover damages for personal injuries. Before Evans, J. The circumstances relating to the accident are stated in the opinion of the Supreme Court. The court charged in part as follows: It is the duty of an employer to give to his employees a safe place to work and safe tools with which to work, and if there is any neglect upon the part of the employer in furnishing a safe place…
1Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
Mr. Justice Elkin,
It is not an accurate definition of the duty of a master to his servant to sa3>- that he must furnish “ a safe place to work and safe tools with which to work.” Employers are only re*620quired to furnish a reasonably safe place in which and reasonably safe tools with which to work. The distinction is based on substantial grounds. When a jury is instructed, without explanation or qualification, that it is the duty of an employer to furnish a safe place to work, their first inquiry very naturally would be, how safe ? Must the place be absolutely safe, free from any…
2Cases cited6 opinions
- Titus v. Bradford etc. R., Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, McKean County1890
- Ardesco Oil Co. v. GilsonSupreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1870
- Welch v. Carlucci Stone Co.Supreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1906
- Service v. ShonemanSupreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1900
- Wannamaker v. BurkeSupreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1886
1 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by3 opinions
- Case v. Lehigh Coal & Navigation Co.Supreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1915
- Donohue v. Western Union Telegraph Co.Superior Court of Pennsylvania · 1914
- Rinehuls v. ElySupreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1914