Mayfield

Plaintiff incurred acid burns while attempting to replace and secure acid drain lines at the Mare Island Naval Shipyards. He prays for judgment against the United States on the ground of negligence.

The facts of this case are as follows;

Plaintiff was employed by Jacobs Plumbing Company (hereinafter referred to as “Jacobs”) as a plumber, pipe-, fitter and welder in 1952. Plaintiff’s experience at this type of employment dates back to 1936. Jacobs was awarded a contract by the government on June 26, 1952 to replace and secure the acid drain lines leading to acid storage tanks located at the Mare Island Shipyards. The contract between Jacobs and defendant provided that “all piping shall follow the general arrangement of the piping being replaced, shall be fabricated accurately to measurements established from the site by the contractor, and shall .be Worked into place without springing or forcing.” Plaintiff was one of the employees assigned to this job.

The accident occurred when plaintiff loosened the bolts of a flange which held two pipes together. One of these pipes was made of lead (which was readily observable) and extended directly from the acid storage tank. The other was…