Robert P. Casey Jr.

October 7, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC- After receiving the latest update from General David Petraeus, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today commended the renewed emphasis that General Petraeus has brought to hiring qualified personnel, implementing a uniform baseline electrical code to apply to all facilities in the Iraq theater and increasing formal oversight following a series of electrocutions in Iraq. 

“I am pleased to see that as a result of the hard work by Cheryl Harris as well as Congressmen Waxman and Altmire, the U.S. military is taking the extra steps to protect individuals in the field.  While these measures represent a significant step, the Congress must continue to exercise strong oversight to ensure these steps are carried out.  We also can’t forget about those individuals who are serving in Afghanistan.  It is my hope that General Petraeus will undertake a similar review in that theater in line with his new position as CENTCOM head and work to prevent future electrocutions, while at the same time provide justice and accountability for those who have already lost their lives.”

In the letter, Senator Casey learned that:

General Petraeus reports that the dedicated Task Force he established earlier this year has begun to implement action plans to reduce the risk of electrocution, shocks and electrical fires;

General Petraeus has asked the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center, based at Fort Rucker, AL, to deploy a team to Iraq to perform an independent analysis/assessment, taking a look at past electrical incidents.  The team has already concluded that the two root causes of the series of electrocutions were human error and facility material failures; 

U.S. Army personnel at all levels are being instructed to focus on finding and correcting conditions such as overloaded circuits and uncertified electrical devices;
 

The Task Force has launched a comprehensive information campaign to educate personnel on potential risks, including public service announcements on Armed Forces Network television and radio;
 

The Task Force has brought on board certified electrical professionals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to establish and implement a baseline electrical code for the Iraq theater and has taken additional steps to ensure that contractors employ certified and trained personnel.  This is a particularly noteworthy move, as it represents a welcome change from the past Army practice of outsourcing key maintence tasts to sometimes unqualified contractors; 

Senator Casey has pressured the Department of Defense (DoD) for answers on the trend of electrocution-related deaths in Iraq since learning about this fatal problem from Cheryl Harris, mother of Staff Sergeant Ryan Maseth who was electrocuted while taking a shower in Iraq.  Senator Casey, after meeting with the CEO of KBR Inc., William Utt, sent follow-up letters to Mr. Utt and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates about what they are doing to fix the systemic problem of faulty wiring at facilities and prevent further harm to our troops in Iraq.  

After a subsequent meeting with Cheryl Harris, Senator Casey sent a follow-up letter to the Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, demanding to know what steps the DoD has taken to ensure that no other soldiers serving in Iraq are electrocuted due to faulty wiring or negligent maintenance.  

 

According to the Army Criminal Investigation Division, Staff Sergeant Maseth died when the electricity in the shower facility short-circuited because an electric water pump on the rooftop was not properly grounded.  An initial investigation by the DoDs Criminal Investigative Division office found that the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) was aware of the electrical safety hazard posed by this shower facility prior to the death of Staff Sgt. Maseth.  The Pentagon has turned over the investigation to the Department’s Inspector General for further investigation.  

 

 

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