Army: GIs At High Risk From Faulty Wiring

Safety Team Cites Flawed Electrical Work At U.S. Facilities For "Catastrophic" Electrocutions

(AP)  A military team sent to evaluate electrical problems at U.S. facilities in Iraq determined there was a high risk that flawed wiring could cause further "catastrophic results" - namely, the electrocutions of U.S. soldiers.

The team said the use of a required device, commonly found in American houses to prevent electrical shocks, was "patchy at best" near showers and latrines in U.S. military facilities. There also was widespread use of uncertified electrical devices and "incomplete application" of U.S. electrical codes in buildings throughout the war-torn country, the team found.

At least three U.S. service members have been electrocuted in Iraq while taking showers in the six years since the U.S.-led invasion of the country.

The highest-profile death was that of Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth, 24, a Green Beret from Pittsburgh who was electrocuted while showering in his barracks early last year.

Other troops and contractors have died or have been seriously injured in other electrical incidents.

A copy of the team's Sept. 8 report to the then-commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, was obtained by The Associated Press through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Since this report to Petraeus, Task Force SAFE in Iraq, which was created to deal with the electrical problems, began extensive inspections and repairs of wiring in about 90,000 U.S.-maintained facilities in Iraq. The Associated Press has reported previously that about a third of the inspections so far have turned up major electrical problems. Half of those problems have since been fixed, but about 65,000 facilities still must be inspected, the military has said.

The military has said it could be November before all the inspections are complete.

In a statement e-mailed to the AP, Dave Foster, an Army spokesman, said the service is committed to improving safety for U.S. troops.

"Even in austere, combat environments, the Army must focus on promoting a 'culture of safety' for all soldiers ... civilians and contractors," Foster said.

The safety team, based at the Army's Combat Readiness/Safety Center at Fort Rucker, Ala., was sent to Iraq late last summer. In addition to the use of uncertified electrical parts, the team cited "inconsistent enforcement of any standard, inconsistent and inadequate standards for using electrical devices, incomplete application of electrical codes and lack of thorough contractor oversight."

The result, the team concluded, was "unmitigated electrical-related hazards" throughout Iraq, with improper bonding a "most pervasive" problem.

The report notes that ground fault circuit interrupters, commonly used in American homes, weren't found in a large number of the facilities the team inspected. The interrupters are required in places where electrical circuits are in proximity to water sources. They are designed to measure electrical currents and shut off power to the circuit if necessary.

The report says the inconsistent use of the interrupters can lead to electrocution "when a ground fault occurs in the system and a human being comes into contact with that circuit."

"Based upon past accident statistics, the team assessed the probability of this event occurring as 'seldom,' but when the event does occur, it is often with 'catastrophic' results," the report said. "Therefore the team assessed the present risk as 'high.'"

The problems described in the report went beyond shoddy wiring. The team said "ammunition, dirty laundry and other combustibles touching or in close proximity to potential electrical fire sources" created a high risk for troops in their living quarters.

It noted that contact with low-hanging and exposed wires has caused eight electrocutions. It recommended developing and implementing training that would help soldiers avoid this danger.

The report does not specifically name any military contractors but does say more oversight of contractors is needed. A majority of the U.S. facilities are maintained by Houston-based KBR Inc.

Heather Browne, a KBR spokeswoman, said in a statement that safety is the company's top priority.

"We have pledged full cooperation with the government on this issue and that will continue," she said.

The other two U.S. service members identified as dying from electrocution while showering are Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class David A. Cedergren, 25, of South St. Paul, Minn., and Army Cpl. Marcos Nolasco, 34, of Chino, Calif.

[gold_standard]

Do you get a purple heart for being electrocuted in the shower?

[hetup-2009]

Just stop using electricity. That would improve the carbon footprint of the war. The additional troops not killed by electricution can be used to maintain troops on the battlefield.

[bobbyduck1]

Posted by jrc007 at 1:25 PM : Apr 8, 2009

Speaking logic to old Rowdy is like whispering in a wind tunnel and expecting an answer.

Best to ignore the beneath contempt postings she spews forth like sh*t.

[brainteaser2]

We need to come home and work on our infrastructure at home. Let Iraq deal with this broken down mess that made Cheney rich.

[cattlekate1]

CBS - Please do a story on how these sole-source contracts were awarded. The players, pushers, and contract personnel. Thanks!

[tincup356]

KBR should be prosecuted and ANY shoddy work that does not meet codes,shall be redone and KBR eats all the bills for it,,,in addition to facing criminal charges of negligent homicide. Both wars are shining examples of MASSIVE government waste,,,coming at a time when America cannot afford to waste,,,,,,,,they should ALL be charged and be held responsible, ALL the way to the top. At a time when our government expects citizens to conserve and not waste,,,they should be held to a higher standard.

[rharrin1]

So, it's okay to roast our guys? GFI's are probably all the more crucial under such circumstances. You were apparently a VERY light electrician.

His job was turning lights off and on.

[jrc007]

Posted by Rowdy104: " C'mon, CBS, this electrocution business is is such old freaking news!!!"

It's not so "old" to concerned citizens or the loved ones of Americans killed by these criminal acts. (Perhaps you are neither concerned nor loved. No surprise, there.)

"Hey CBS, why don't you publish all those naked pictures of the usurper president's mother..."

I strongly suggest you get some counseling. Soon.

". . . why are you still trying to trash the Palin family with your little narky nark interviews...."

Pea-brain Palin couldn't handle a "powderpuff" interview with Katie Couric. What chance would she have against someone like Iran's Mahmoud Iminadinnerjacket?

". . . and why are you pushing this BS article when the ARMY owns a whole CORPS OF ENGINEERS that know how to run electrical wires???"

It's STILL not BS to the loved ones, etc., mentioned above.

If the CORPS OF ENGINEERS had done the work rather than these bum-rush contractors, there would be fewer CORPSES.

[Vet_Turner]

It is not KBR doing the work. They drive around in brand-new pick-up trucks and "supervise" and direct 3rd country nationals to do the work. One time I watched them barry these high voltage lines coming up through the ground. They dug a whole and barried them in a couple inches of concrete. Does that meet base electrical standards? I don't think so.

There are CAT style generators everywhere - spewing exaust. There was full extrical on a lot of these bases the Americans are now on but since they were Russian built, they dumped that for the small generators all over.

Of course a bunch of people here are going to blame this on Obama, even though he spoke out before the way saying that it was unjustified, unneeded and a disaster in the making.

But the Bush appologist are still claiming what a great thing Bush did with Iraq because Saddam was a bully.

Steve

[gce651]

Oh, by the way the Baathist Party had direct ties to and was modeled on the Nazi Party.
Posted by mystichistorian at 10:38 AM : Apr 8, 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh, by the way, The US under Reagan and GHW Bush supported Iraq all through the 1980's.Saddam was "their boy in Baghdad."

[gce651]

CBS:
Mistake in the title, Army: GIs At High Risk From Faulty Wiring.

Should read Army: GIs at High Risk From K-B-R!!!

[pcevet4]

I'm not hearing the anger directed at the contractor(s) responsible for doing this wiring on the cheap and that's being directed at AIG's CEO's. Could it be that money makes us more angry than negligent abuse of our soldiers? Or are they just "someone else's kids", as we were in Vietnam?

Clearly the technology exists to do wiring safely, with proper grounding. General officers and visiting dignitaries are not being electrocuted in their showers.

[rickwar98]

spent 05 in IRAQ as an engineer light (electrician). The entire country was wired groundless by the Russians that did the municipal buildings. There is no point in driving ground rods into soil that hasn't seen significant rainfall in thousands of years. When readers react with inflammatory comments about circumstances that uninformed journalists comment on, it makes me realize how niave most in the west are. It's a remarkable testament to the skill of the electricians that have served in Iraq that so few have been killed or injured.

Posted by mystichistorian at 10:38 AM : Apr 8, 2009

If you are an electrician after presenting that rant I'd suggest you become a plumber.

[dagrandma]

mystichistorian: Are you KIDDING ME???? So we should just thank our lucky stars that more aren't killed this way? After all, it's all the fault of the Russians! Is somebody PAYING you to say this s-h-*-t?????

[jrc007]

Posted by mystichistorian - "I spent 05 in IRAQ as an engineer light (electrician)..The entire country was wired groundless by the Russians that did the municipal buildings. There is no point in driving ground rods into soil that hasn't seen significant rainfall in thousands of years."

So, it's okay to roast our guys? GFI's are probably all the more crucial under such circumstances. You were apparently a VERY light electrician.

"Oh, by the way the Baathist Party had direct ties to and was modeled on the Nazi Party"

So that makes it okay to roast . . . never mind.

I hope your history is better than your engineering.

[inventagod]

It takes 'faulty wiring' to fall for lies from recruiters...

How are those oil wars going, anyway?

[jrc007]

"Darth Cheney" was president of Halliburton/KBR before selecting himself as Dumbya's running mate. He continues to receive dividends on his Hal/KBR shares even as U.S. military people fry in KBR showers built under no-bid contracts he helped arrange.

This was a classic "kickback" scheme that would've had Darth's neo-conmen pals shrieking like little girls had it happened under a Dem. administration.

[mystichistorian]

I spent 05 in IRAQ as an engineer light (electrician). The entire country was wired groundless by the Russians that did the municipal buildings. There is no point in driving ground rods into soil that hasn't seen significant rainfall in thousands of years. When readers react with inflammatory comments about circumstances that uninformed journalists comment on, it makes me realize how niave most in the west are. It's a remarkable testament to the skill of the electricians that have served in Iraq that so few have been killed or injured. Do the math, # of showers per troop x 6 years. Oh, by the way the Baathist Party had direct ties to and was modeled on the Nazi Party.

[mswolfestock]

Prosecute the contractors for murder. This is an absolute abomination. Electrical wiring is not rocket science but people die when it is not properly installed. This is why electrical contractors have to carry millions of dollars in liability insurance, this is why electrical workers must be properly trained and licensed.

Make these sleazy contractors shower in their own units, then maybe they'd be safe.

[midwest_mind]

There are legitimate reasons to contract out this sort of work. In theory it frees up the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines to do what they do best. Fight and defend our country and our interests anywhere in the world.

What's sad is the criminal negligence of those companies that were hired to do the work. Greed over safety, money before quality, profit before competence. It was never about patriotism, or quality work, it was all about getting as much profit as possible. Sad to see where our short term concern with making money has driven the American Corporate Ethos.