.Electrocuted Shaler Soldier's Mother, Electricians Criticize Contractors' Work In Iraq
WASHINGTON -- Former electricians for KBR Inc. told a Senate panel investigating the electrocutions of 13 Americans in Iraq that the company used employees with little electrical expertise to supervise subcontractors and hired foreigners who couldn't speak English.
One of the people who died was Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth, of Shaler Township, Allegheny County, who was electrocuted while taking a shower.
Maseth's mother, Cheryl Harris, testified Friday before the Democratic Policy Committee, which has been examining waste, fraud and abuse in Iraq and the performance of the country's war contractors.
"There, lying on the ground, was my son's body ... burnt and smoldering," Harris said. "One of the soldiers who attempted to rescue Ryan was himself shocked, because the electrical current was still running through the water in the pipes in Ryan's bathroom."
Experienced electricians who raised concerns about shoddy work and possible hazards were often dismissed and told, "This is a war zone," according to the electricians' testimony.
"Time and again we heard, 'This is not the states. OSHA doesn't apply here. If you don't like it, you can go home,'" said Debbie Crawford, a journeyman electrician with 30 years experience.
"It is unacceptable that extreme recklessness and total disregard for public safety has deprived the Army of this exemplary young soldier and deprived my family of our son and brother," Harris said.
Both Democrats and Republicans attended the hearing, including U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., who said, "I am angered that the department (of defense) appears to lack the urgency and outrage that all of us in this room share today."
The Pentagon has ordered KBR to inspect all of the facilities it maintains in Iraq for electrical hazards, but Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., who chaired the panel, questioned whether KBR could police its own work.
In an e-mailed statement, KBR said its investigation so far has not turned up evidence of a link between its work and the electrocutions.
"We continue to conduct technical inspections on all facilities serviced by KBR throughout Iraq to ensure safe and proper operations for those we serve," spokeswoman Heather Browne said in the statement.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodland, released letters they've sent to Defense Secretary Robert Gates about the electrocutions.
Brady urged the Pentagon to release all information on the deaths to congressional committees and spell out steps it's taken to prevent other deaths.
The Pittsburgh Channel
One of the people who died was Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth, of Shaler Township, Allegheny County, who was electrocuted while taking a shower.
Maseth's mother, Cheryl Harris, testified Friday before the Democratic Policy Committee, which has been examining waste, fraud and abuse in Iraq and the performance of the country's war contractors.
"There, lying on the ground, was my son's body ... burnt and smoldering," Harris said. "One of the soldiers who attempted to rescue Ryan was himself shocked, because the electrical current was still running through the water in the pipes in Ryan's bathroom."
Experienced electricians who raised concerns about shoddy work and possible hazards were often dismissed and told, "This is a war zone," according to the electricians' testimony.
"Time and again we heard, 'This is not the states. OSHA doesn't apply here. If you don't like it, you can go home,'" said Debbie Crawford, a journeyman electrician with 30 years experience.
"It is unacceptable that extreme recklessness and total disregard for public safety has deprived the Army of this exemplary young soldier and deprived my family of our son and brother," Harris said.
Both Democrats and Republicans attended the hearing, including U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., who said, "I am angered that the department (of defense) appears to lack the urgency and outrage that all of us in this room share today."
The Pentagon has ordered KBR to inspect all of the facilities it maintains in Iraq for electrical hazards, but Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., who chaired the panel, questioned whether KBR could police its own work.
In an e-mailed statement, KBR said its investigation so far has not turned up evidence of a link between its work and the electrocutions.
"We continue to conduct technical inspections on all facilities serviced by KBR throughout Iraq to ensure safe and proper operations for those we serve," spokeswoman Heather Browne said in the statement.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodland, released letters they've sent to Defense Secretary Robert Gates about the electrocutions.
Brady urged the Pentagon to release all information on the deaths to congressional committees and spell out steps it's taken to prevent other deaths.
The Pittsburgh Channel
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