This is a
signaling device to alert the person to depressurize the tank. The vent screw fill plug, designed by
Dover, has a warning cast on it, and is inexpensive to manufacture. It did not become available until
October 1987, approximately one year after the automotive lift involved in this accident had been
sold to Midas International, and by Midas International to Mr. Colwell. All in-ground automotive
lifts sold by Dover since October 1987 have the vent screw plug.

        On December 1, 1987, Dover wrote a letter to Dover’s regional managers, representatives,
parts depots and distributors informing them of the availability of the vent screw fill plug. On
October 28, 1988, Dover wrote a letter to its national accounts, including Midas International
Corporation, informing them of the availability ofthe vent screw fill plug. Midas International
Corporation sent this information on to its franchisees in a communication dated February 20, 1989.
On February 12, 1990, Dover sent another letter to its national accounts, including Midas
International Corporation, notifying them that the vent screw fill plug was available and that it
should help eliminate the possibility of someone inadvertently removing the fill plug from the air/oil
tank while the system was still pressurized. On July 5, 1991, Midas International Corporation sent
a marketing memo to its franchisees informing them of the safety features in fill plugs, including the
vent screw fill plug. Despite these post-sale developments, no vent screw fill plug was installed on
the automotive lift involved in the May 5, 1995 accident, and the old fill plug used in the original
1986 manufacture of this