Soldier reported shocks before electrocution death

[RamboLiberal]

Source: CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) — An Army sergeant complained about faulty wiring in Iraq months before the fatal electrocution of another soldier in a shower in the same quarters, according to documents released Wednesday by a congressional committee.

Sgt. Justin Hummer filled out a work order in July 2007 that warned, “Pipes have voltage, get shocked in the shower.” Hummer told investigators from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that at least once, he had to use a wooden stick to turn off the shower “because the electrical current was so strong.”

Army records show electricians from contractor Kellogg, Brown and Root found “several safety issues concerning the improper grounding of electrical devices” in February 2007. In January 2008, Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth was electrocuted in a shower in the same quarters Hummer occupied the previous summer — and a follow-up investigation “found nearly all of the same problems and deficiencies that had been reported one year previously,” a committee report states.



Read more: http://cnnwire.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/30/soldier-reported-shocks-before-electrocution-death/

[babylonsister]

1. And imagine this; the Pentagon knows nothing...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3702765&mesg_id=3702765


http://washingtonindependent.com/view/pentagon-knows

Pentagon Knows Nothing About Electrocutions of Soldiers
By Matthew Blake 07/30/2008 01:25PM


Four current, and one former, Pentagon officials testified today before the House oversight committee on faulty wiring blamed for the deaths of 16 U.S. soldiers who were electrocuted while serving Iraq since 2004. In a disquieting exchange, Rep. Kevin Brady (D-Tx.) listed the names of some of these soldiers, like specialist Chase Whitham who died in a swimming pool back in May 2004. Brady asked the officials testifying if they have any information about who is responsible for the electrocutions. The Pentagon representatives said they don't know.

The witnesses went on to describe other critical facts they don't have, including how they don't know who installed the electricity, who inspected the sites or what contractor KBR could have done differently.

"It's been more than four years since the first death," Brady pointed out. "Why don't we know by now? This is not a new issue."

"I don't know why we don't know," responded Gordon Heddell, the acting inspector general of the Pentagon.

"When we will know?" Brady asked.

"Sir, I'll have to get back to you on a timeline," replied Jeffrey Parsons, exec. director of the Army Contracting Command.

The Pentagon IG, meanwhile, is promising a report on the electrocutions by October. But for now, they aren't giving answers.

[superconnected]

2. So the military does nothing when dangerous conditions are reported.

I guess they just aren't concerned for the safety of their soldiers.

[sam sarrha]

5. apparently "CONTRACTORS" are now do'n that stuff, they get paid even if they dont do anything, so

why do anything...??

[saigon68]

14. They didn't when I was In either

[tblue37]

15. They call that supporting the troops. n/t

[tanyev]

3. And here I didn't think it was possible to make that story worse.

[Solly Mack]

4. and yet KBR is still doing business where?

The water, the food making soldiers sick...now frying soldiers to death


Not that I believe a government that would invade a country for lies and trumped up evidence gives a damn...because I don't.

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. This is just too weird.

Why isn't our government freaking out over this?

[galledgoblin]

7. the Bush Admin is making money through these contractors

you're right though, the rest of the government should be raising hell.

our democratic leadership is shamefully quiet on this and so much more.

[girl gone mad]

9. Too many politicians have their hands in the till.

Mostly in the White house and the Pentagon, but there are enough congressional Democrats involved to keep the rest of them quiet.

[girl gone mad]

8. Privatization will fix all of our problems.

Now we pay ten times as much for 1/10th the work. Problem of excess capital solved.

:sarcasm:

[Doctor_J]

10. Maybe we aren't giving KBR enough money

I recommend doubling their budget for next year.

[bluesmail]

11. Electrocution is torture. It is known as LEARNED HELPLESSNESS

I doubt it's a coincidence that our soldiers are being electrocuted. Of course I may be wrong, but knowing the Dark Cheney Gang what are the odds?

[bronxiteforever]

12. Kick & R

[kas125]

13. The hearing is starting right now on C-SPAN 2 n/t

[spag68]

16. There is something wrong with this article.

It states that improper grounding causes these problems. While this is true, it is not the only problem. All circuits in or around water shall be protected by GFCI devices. That in your house is the receptacle with the little button in the middle, however in commercial installations there should be GFCI breakers in the panels. This can only be total negligence by the contractor as NEC governs these things and is very specific about how it is to be done. The answer is that the company formerly known as Burn&Loot, should now be known as Kill,Burn,& Loot.

[MadrasT]

17. I hate these bastards

Why are they allowed to get away with it? I want to see KBR taken down in a big way for this. (I'm not holding my breath.) The government treats our soldiers like dirt. It's inexcusable. :banghead: