KBR Just Doesn’t Get It-Electrical Inspections
KBR’s idea of “right” and my idea of “right” couldn’t be further apart. I’m not sure what KBR thinks they are required to accomplish with the ongoing electrical repairs and inspections in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.
Is it…”It’s no big deal, Task Force SAFE won’t find this.”?
Is it…”Task Force Safe isn’t here, don’t worry about it.”?
is it…”If it’s signed it’s inspected….if you know what I mean..(wink wink).”?
Is it…”Woo hoo more money!”?
Is it…We haven’t killed anyone this week, we must be doing something right?
It’s my opinion the answer is yes to all of the above. It’s clearly not, “Let’s provide a quality product in order to protect the lives of our soldiers and civilians”.
I am disturbed by the number of comments and emails I get from KBR electricians who are being intimidated and forced to sign off on inspections. Although I can not verify the accuracy of the statements below, the information is coming from all over and I find it hard to believe they would lie.
We have been instructed to validate inspection forms for panels we had not even opened for inspection.
This is very disturbing to me. Someone very well could die or be injured. And the person who will be blamed is the one who sign the form under duress.
Today we got threatened yet again that unless we produced thirty validations per day, there would be huge ramifications from the top on down.
Clearly quality is not the objective here. Quantity is the goal.
I was told that I was being insubordinate for not listening to my supervisor who was instructing me to sign my name to these bogus inspections.
A classic example of why US laws should apply on any project anywhere in the world where US tax dollars are being spent. US tax dollars are being used in Iraq to threaten and intimidate conscientious and honest Americans workers and they have little or no recourse.
Nearly all electricians here are trying to find employment elsewhere due to the extreme behavior of KBR management.
This is costing US Taxpayers money. I would like to ask KBR and the DoD, “How many electricians have been hire and quit in the last 6 months? What program is in place to retain qualified electricians?”.
You will also be responsible for effecting repairs to other “electrical” work that was done in the past and signing for it.
I don’t think so. Not me…not ever! That freakin’ plane flies in two directions!
There are NO qualified electrical inspectors here that I am aware of, just Masters and Journeymen.
Are there any qualified licensed electrical inspectors in Iraq, Afghanistan or Kuwait working for KBR actually performing electrical inspections?
I understand why KBR is doing this. Because it’s business as usual and in my opinion they employ the “Let’s just do it till we get caught” management style. I really think no matter what happens, no matter who is injured or killed in the Middle East, KBR feels they can out lawyer and outlast them. And then invoice those charges the the DoD (US Taxpayers). So they have nothing to lose. Is KBR and LOGCAP going to be a multi-generational legal legacy?
What I don’t understand is why the DoD does not have a program in place that would allow KBR employees and others to contact a DoD investigator in country to report issues of safety, waste, fraud and abuse. At least one real live person at each camp that can deal with the reports and follow up with the person. Or would you just rather hear it for the first time in a Congressional Committee Hearing or on CNN or the “blogosphere”?
Please don’t tell me you have something in place already, because if you do it’s not working!
Please let me know if you are being threatened to sign off on inspection reports.
Also…I am looking for electricians who have recently quit KBR from Afghanistan and Kuwait. Leave a comment or contact me via the “contact us” tab at the top of the page.
Ms Sparky
Monday, February 16th 2009 at 11:32 am |
sparky1224 please contact me. I emailed you at cox.net please respond.
Thank you!!
Tuesday, February 17th 2009 at 6:10 pm |
I spoke w/ KBR months ago about them forming an electrical inspection dept. and working for them. Never heard about that again but I spoke w/ KBR rep last week, said they had 30 Master Elect. too many, did not need me. I am currently Electrical Inspector, Master Electrician w/ 34 years of experience.Their loss but am hurting for cash, have kid in legal trouble. Enjoyed your site, Thanks
Thursday, February 19th 2009 at 9:52 pm |
I wish the DoD had someone here to talk with…
We were told, no signature, you go home, period. I am putting disclaimers on ALL the paperwork I sign.
Whether those will show up if an action happens is yet to be seen, knowing how unscrupulous KBR is.
The PM here is getting more and more frantic, to the point of actually hitting someone. Nothing has been done, I can assure you if that mongrel hits me, he will be charged to the fullest extent of the law.
I heard some things yesterday and need some clarification.
Was the level 3 CAR dropped and did the deadline get extended to late September?
From what is sounds like, the deadline coincides with the contract end date, but that is supposition.
Does KBR get paid while under level 3 CAR?
Thanks
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Your Project Manager(PM) hit someone? Seriously? Someone please post that PM’s name and the camp here. No person deserves to be assaulted on the job by their supervisor or anyone for that matter. This is yet another example of KBR’s “wild wild west” management mentality!! Someone should find the Military Police. There has to be some law enforcement agency there somewhere. If there are bruises get photos.
To answer your questions.
1. Did the level III Corrective Action Request (CAR) get dropped? Haven’t heard that. Not sure that is possible. It is possible that KBR finally came up with a acceptable response called Corrective Action Plan (CAP). Their first CAP was rejected. I’m not sure what the status of the second CAP is. Maybe one of my DCMA readers could elaborate whether or not a CAR can just be canceled, and what the status of CAR # HQ-08-LOGCAP-001 LIII.
2. As far as KBR getting paid. I would assume that KBR is still be paid for billable invoices plus the percentage allowed by the contract. As far as Award Fee goes, that’s extra and it’s performance based. I know that was being held up because of the CAR or whatever reason…I don’t know if it has been paid. We have been trying to find out. There is a huge movement in Congress to debar KBR from future contracts, have recent awards rescinded and have KBR replaced (just the management) in LOGCAP. If any of my DCAA know if KBR’s Award Fee has been paid please let us know.
Friday, February 20th 2009 at 7:23 am |
kbr knows task force safe doesn’t check everything anymore. just here and there. a sampling. its a numbers game for kbr. if they get caught they fix it if they dont get caught they dont.
Sunday, February 22nd 2009 at 5:59 pm |
We’re also being threatened yet again, with don’t even talk about your job at the DFAC. The military is listening and are taking names.
We will send you down the road and we are compiling a list of those who talk.
Monday, February 23rd 2009 at 8:17 am |
Lucky Me: Please tell me that you are keeping a private written record of all this!! Especially with the names, dates and times of the personnel that are threatening you.
Monday, February 23rd 2009 at 4:10 pm |
David Poe the PM at Balad has been ramming his finger into peoples chests threatening them. Then he told the QA that they would pass ALL electrical inspections. What the hell does he need QA for? I am sick of this place. I have never seen such lowlife managers in my life. I thought I was coming over here to get the electrical in shape and help the soldiers. I was wrong. What a joke. I don’t know who to tell about this. They told us not to talk about it to anyone. Make sure the military doesn’t hear. That is so much bullshit. The military should know everything. They are the ones that is paying. They are the ones that are dying. I am so pissed off! Who do you call when someone hits someone else. I’m not going to KBR HR. What a joke.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I have been hearing this…it’s pretty unbelievable and totally unacceptable. I have passed this info on. Let me know if you hear something. Don’t hit him. Just get out of there. The rules are different for you than they are for him.
Monday, February 23rd 2009 at 5:27 pm |
What a bunch of dicks. Glad I left before any of that happened in Kuwait. Fuck ‘em.
Wednesday, February 25th 2009 at 9:16 am |
As far as KBR getting paid. I would assume that KBR is still be paid for billable invoices plus the percentage allowed by the contract. As far as Award Fee goes, that’s extra and it’s performance based. I know that was being held up because of the CAR or whatever reason…I don’t know if it has been paid. We have been trying to find out. There is a huge movement in Congress to debar KBR from future contracts, have recent awards rescinded and have KBR replaced (just the management) in LOGCAP. If any of my DCAA know if KBR’s Award Fee has been paid please let us know.
That’s why there is a huge push for “overtime”.
They’re still billing at the full rate and we are getting paid straight time.
You know the game, uplift to 40, then straight time for the other 44.
KBR is billing Uncle Sam uplift and time and a half for anything over forty hours.
Who’s making a killing here?
Wednesday, February 25th 2009 at 7:31 pm |
Just making sure someone is keeping a record of events that go on! This is atrocious and unacceptable. Get a calendar and write it down, and or a journal.
KBR knows they are in the wrong and are trying to get someone to take the fall.
NUMBER ONE RULE with ‘doncuments’ don’t sign it PERIOD unless you did it.
Disclaimers don’t work.
ALSO MAKE COPIES, tell your boss that you will sign it then run away with it make a copy and return it unsigned, IF YOU DO SIGN IT GET A COPY or you will be in trouble later. Don’t be KBR’s scapegoat. !!!!!!!!
Thursday, February 26th 2009 at 9:36 am |
It’s something I do understand, corporations do it all the time. Hire someone new or put someone in position to take the fall so you don’t.
We are here to bail KBR out of this mess and we’re being treated like dogs.
I guess it’s time the gloves come off and KBR gets it’s just dessert. I’m tired of being treated like the bastard step child and run all day.
They treat the people from other countries even worse (SCW’s).
They want us to work in the dark while someone else holds our flashlights when we test live 230v circuits. It’s always one more CHU to get at the end of the day.
Mgmt devised the plan for us to work with and it was horrible, their implementation, reasoning, and the work process in general, all ridiculous. Not one of them an electrician who knows how to troubleshoot what is wrong.
They have swept so many things under the rug over the years, it’s unbelievable…
KBR mgmt was foolish and they are still foolish. I do hope I can be of help in KBR mgmt getting what they deserve.
Friday, February 27th 2009 at 9:36 am |
Hey Krash,
I am keeping a journal of everything that happens during the day here. Every word spoke, not paraphrased, names, dates, times, and actions too.
It all gets sent out of country every day. (Minimizes theft of documentation).
I’ll have a file cabinet’s worth by the time I’m done. My prove to be interesting reading at a later date.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Don’t let anyone know. They will fire the whole lot just to make sure they get you!
Friday, February 27th 2009 at 10:45 am |
To Lucky Me: Like Ms Sparky said, keep the information to yourself and don’t let anyone you work with know what you are doing. They will find some BS excuse to get rid of you or anyone you associate with and I’ll just about bet you’ll get a full body cavity search . . or a military escort home, be careful!!!!
Looking forward to reading your journal if you’ll let me, when you are safely home.
Stay safe
Tuesday, March 3rd 2009 at 4:07 pm |
Nobody deserve to be treated like that. I hope that you are safe over there. I will pray for you.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
We must change the laws so that all Labor Laws and OSHA apply!
Tuesday, March 3rd 2009 at 8:20 pm |
Poverty breeds desperation with these unqualified supervisors. None of these fools have an IBC, IRC, NEC, MECH cert’s or a degree in Engineering, Arch Design, Const. Management or Building Inspection…. Why don’t the help follow the plans and spec’s and tell the construction managers, superintendents and supervisors to stop making field modifications to approved plans….I heard the CAD design aspect was pretty bad in Iraq with no spec’s, schedules and any information on the plans and not being provided by the engineers to clarify anything.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Plans?? Seriously….you jest!
Wednesday, March 4th 2009 at 6:29 am |
Your telling you never saw one set of plans during your employment with KBR. Some one has have a set of approved plans. You can’t prove attach liability to management without them. As in the early days in Kandahar, The engineers wouldn’t sign anything because of liability.
Wednesday, March 4th 2009 at 1:46 pm |
I asked about prints, but because of the “temporary” nature, they never had anything. See, if they leave it as temporary, the code will bend there way and they can point out there isn’t a real limit on the temporary aspects.
Wednesday, March 4th 2009 at 1:58 pm |
Dear Mz. Sparky,
Please let me rephrase my grammar: Your telling me not you or one of your colleagues never saw an approved set of construction plans from the engineering dept. during your KBR deployment.
I also have not heard the word, “Change Order” or “Field Modify” mentioned. One of you out there must have brought home a set of signed construction documents?
I also haven’t heard what the proper protocol is regarding “design approval to field implementation” practices.
It’s tough to attach liability to (Elec. Supervisors) management without it and everything falls upon the workers, foreman without written documentation. However, it is true the supervisor’s are to fault for perpetuating bad craftsmanship based upon non-existent or bad engineering, as in the early days in Kandahar, like Engr. Reggie Done from San Jose California. He wouldn’t sign anything because of liability.
Wednesday, March 4th 2009 at 2:13 pm |
Mr. Baboon…I mean Baboo.
No need to rephrase my grammar. I said it like I meant it. No plans. 99.99% of my work was Service Orders with a few Work Orders thrown in. I am a 30 year construction worker so I understand the terminology. No Change Orders, No FCN’s, ECN’s no nothing. It was just “get er done”. As far as liability goes, they are wishing they didn’t have any at Radwaniyah where SSG Ryan Maseth died. But the CID thinks they do.
And that’s Ms Sparky, not Mz Sparky.
Wednesday, March 4th 2009 at 2:26 pm |
Ken@Home said,
That explains alot of KBR and T.Bruni practices!
A very clever explanation and bending of the rulebook. The Military provides an SOW (Scope of Work) for every construction project on base and not always in detail with work orders from the DWP. The SOW provides the outline for which the Designers can draft plans from to create building structures. Once the plans have approved by the Military each department is to suppose to receive the respective section of the plans. (An electrical set would include, E1, E2, E3…and could reference to Civil, Structural Mech and Arch sheet sets.)
The SOW is how the KBR estimators base their bids from. The IBC is the codebook the military uses as their building code reference. The IBC often refers to the NEC regarding electrical issues. I forget what area of the book deals with temporary structures at the moment, but to my understanding nothing is considered that temporary. They who said this should be prosecuted as well with the Supervisors and Job Superintendents. They are supposed to know this!
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Looks like they paid some “high falootin’ lawyer” to figure out how to throw the working man under the bus!
Wednesday, March 4th 2009 at 2:41 pm |
Ms Sparky,
I meant my grammar. I do believe you 100% regarding service orders. I heard that, “just get done crap too!”
I am curious of what your supervisor said when you mentioned sub-standard work, which had been performed in the past?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I was just giving you grief!! A girl has to have a little fun every now and then!! LOL My supervisor was not even an electrician and yet he would argue safety, repair method and code. Pretty pathetic. And OMG was he arrogant!
Wednesday, March 4th 2009 at 3:37 pm |
A little grief is fine. He was qualified to lead! Sounds like the peter principle. I’ve heard and seen this before in Afghanistan as well.
Thursday, March 26th 2009 at 2:44 am |
KBR is not the only one to blame. A lot of these cases were the result of the Iraqi First program. Many buildings were the result of Iraqi electricians wiring it to “No Standard” what so ever and the building being turned over to KBR later (Radwaniyah for one instance – I was there). Good old Uncle Sam is just as much to blame as KBR. And if you follow the trail you’ll find the guy’s shoving fingers are having there feet held to the fire from a USG representative.
I’m still here and in the thick of the Grounding and Bonding program. It sounds like a lot of localized problems with certain indivivual’s. Ours is going well and we have the full support of our management.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I hold DoD, primarily DCMA and DCAA equally responsible. I am glad your site is going well. There are some managers who have changed their tune. Many have not. Keep a close eye on news media in the next day or so. That should be interesting.
My stand has been….for the most part it’s not the employees that are the problem…it’s KBR management. They are the ones who threaten to send people home if they don’t do what they are told regardless if it is right or wrong. KBR management problem is systemic.
Sunday, April 12th 2009 at 10:09 am |
I am cross posting this comment:
2Little2Late said,
on April 12th, 2009
I am located at base (removed to protect reader) in Iraq and talked with a operator that was moved to electrical division do to lack of electricians. Pencil whipping is alive and well. RCD’s are only randomly checked as per KBR instructions due to pressure and time constraints. Another death will come.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I hope more and more people post these kinds of comments. I know the DoD reads my blog. They need to know that KBR is more interested in covering their tracks than doing a quality job. You’re right. They will kill someone else. And I will blog about that one too unless they hide it!
Tuesday, April 14th 2009 at 9:47 am |
Something that came to mind the other day was the available fault current from the transformers and are the breakers installed capable of handling it?
I saw one such site where the transformer (prime power) was only ten feet away from the Main Distribution Panel.
The main breaker was labelled for 25,000 A fault current.
Has anyone really done any calcs to see if the breakers being used are capable of opening under a fault?
Some breakers are only labeled with their ampacity rating and no fault current rating?
What are the std. fault current ratings of Billy, ABB, and Merlin Gerin breakers?
Anyone out there have any ideas?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
That’s a valid point. Maybe someone from Task Force SAFE could answer that question for us.
Thursday, June 11th 2009 at 4:11 pm |
News flash: Current and former KBR management hiding out from upcoming congressional hearings. Their names are on a list and they will not escape, if the boys on Capital Hill “Man Up” and make an issue out of it.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I’m sure that will get them wondering! I am sending you an email. Would love to chat!!
Saturday, July 4th 2009 at 8:45 pm |
http://iraqbuildingcodes.org/
Here is a web site of Iraqi building standards. This is what you need to read and now you can tell me tell how wonderfully trained everyone is. In regards to any HCN first program there is always construction oversight by the prime contractor. So any excuse to blame some poor bastard for what senior management is supposed to know regarding construction oversight negligence and bullshit.
Saturday, July 4th 2009 at 8:46 pm |
http://iraqbuildingcodes.org/
Here is a web site of Iraqi building standards. This is what you need to read and now you can tell me tell how wonderfully trained everyone is.
In regards to any HCN first program there is always construction oversight by the prime contractor. So any excuse to blame some poor bastard for what senior management is supposed to know regarding construction oversight negligence and bullshit.
Thursday, July 9th 2009 at 9:08 pm |
This is what it takes to be an electrical trainee in one of the most restrictive states in America.By the way this does not make you a journeyman electrician by any standard!
Proficiency Award
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
Electrician Trainee
Awarded by the Department)
REQUIRED COURSES: 12 Units
ArchitecturalBlueprint Reading:
This course provides experience in construction blueprint reading and plan review. Experiences will include the study of lines, symbols, notations and dimensions used on architectural drawings. Code interpretation and design compliance will be stressed.
National Electrical Code:
This course is an introduction to the National Electrical Code. The Code layout and content will be the focus of study. Subjects covered will include vocabulary, service, circuits, conduits, conductors and system inspection.
Construction Job Site Management:
This course covers the organization and problems associated with managing a construction job site. Topics will include plans, permits, inspections, material and workforce scheduling, industrial safety, construction process, cost control and quality management.
Measurements and Computations:
This course is the occupational application of measurements and computations as used by technology students. Topics include geometric shape calculations, practical trigonometry, areas, volumes, ratio and proportion, units and conversions, decimals and fractions and applied algebra.
Sunday, April 29th 2012 at 12:41 am |
id rather have a 2nd year apprentice electrician from the uk than any american journeyman i have met in country…electricians who do not know how to use a continuity tester to verify an earth actually exists at a fitting should be fired on the spot…”master” electricians who have never herd of a loop impedance test, insulation resistance test….do not know how to fit an rcbo and cannot comprehend why a 30a mcb supplying a 2.5mm cable (smaller than awg 12…which is 3.31mm) is wrong (THAT 1 WAS AN INSPECTOR)SHOULD NOT HAVE THE ARROGANCE TO CALL THEMSELVES ELECTRICIANS……..AN RCD DOES NOT REMOVE THE NEED TO HAVE AN EARTH…..I could go on…but must dash off to rewire the work our american electricians done this morning.
Sunday, April 29th 2012 at 12:15 pm |
Well, all I can say is that if it was not for Churchill lying to the US about the Japs you would be speaking Deutch today. That aside, in Leicester I met many Brits who cannot do proper math so to be fair, there are idiots all over. BTW, did you read about the chap who is a Brit sparky with 8 kids or so and moved to Ozzie? He said he should have done it sooner. He said the UK is full of welfare scum like he travellers. It was in the daily mail this week.
Sunday, April 29th 2012 at 9:56 pm |
lying to the us about the japs…lol….nice try….did he tell them they wernt going to bomb pearl harbour…lol…he maybe played you off against russia at the start…and guess what..he was right…and as for talking german….if little britain hadnt stood alone when the rest of europe crumbled they would have marched all over the world…theres a reason the world speaks ENGLISH my friend….intresting that your reply doesnt defend your american brotherhood of electricians…all im pointing out is the electricians from america that I have personaly worked with are all absolutly useless…example at todays morning meetin…american electrician 1 says..”I had a problem yesterday…socket outlet was showing 400v”…….american electrician 2 says.”thats because you have dropped a neutral” …I almost wet myself laughing… Ill let you contemplate that for a while then i will reveal the answer…unless you want to google it and post the correct answer..lol…its a 240/400v system…thats all you need to know to get the right answer.
Sunday, April 29th 2012 at 10:10 pm |
I will admit that the US government school system is lacking in many ways. If they went to private school they would not be so dumb.Electricity is hidden fire and should be treated as such. I am surprised that those you work with know how to turn on a Fluke. Yes, Churchill had info about the japs plans and did not let the US know. His reasoning was the the US needed to be brought into the war as the US was nuetral at the time. By the way, are these electricians from the south and non union?
Sunday, April 29th 2012 at 10:54 pm |
the us had the same information buddy…your own politicians let it happen..we hadnt cracked the inigma code at that point…let alone the jap 1…however america had the jap naval codes at the time…anyway…i love this part of history and could go all day…we won and they didnt…(we, as in british empire AND america as allies together,both had individual influence that combined for the total victory) the worst ones are from the south yes…non union yes…however 1 of them just came back with a shiney new masters card…and that was the guy that gave the “dropped neutral” response…the correct answer is of coarse there no neutral, the problem is 2 phases at the outlet…1 phase to live and 1 phase to neutral. never has been a neutral to drop..its a 240/400v system..therfore the only way to get 400v is to have 2 seperate phases at the outlet…which would have been an easy spot if the spark in question had bothered to test live to earth and neutral to earth…each reading would have shown 240v. with 400v live to neutral….id love to continue the debate on ww11…perhaps in another thread…
Monday, April 30th 2012 at 1:06 am |
That US sparky would be overwhelmed if he went to NZ where they run the earths in parallel. Can he even change a battery in a Fluke?