Rennoldson v. James J. Volpe Realty Corp.

—Order unanimously reversed on the law without costs, motion denied, cross motion granted and first cause of action dismissed. Memorandum: Gerald Rennoldson (plaintiff), a maintenance worker at Delta Sonic Car Wash, was injured when he fell from a ladder while replacing a leaking tube on a car wash machine. Supreme Court erred in denying the cross motion of defendant James F. Volpe, Sr., the property owner, for partial summary judgment dismissing the Labor Law § 240 (1) cause of action against him. That statute does not apply here because plaintiff "was merely performing routine maintenance in a non-construction, non-renovation context” (Howe v 1660 Grand Is. Blvd., 209 AD2d 934 , lv denied 85 NY2d 803 ). Even assuming, arguendo, that the machine constitutes a "structure,” the replacement of a leaking tube is not a repair or alteration within the meaning of the statute (see, Labor Law § 240 [1]; Smith v Shell Oil Co., 205 AD2d 681 , lv granted 84 NY2d 810 ; Cosentino v Long Is. R. R., 201 AD2d 528 ; Edwards v Twenty-Four Twenty-Six Main St. Assocs., 195 AD2d 592 ). (Appeal from Order of Supreme Court, Monroe