Casey pushes crackdown on government contractors
By Robin Acton
Saturday, October 3, 2009
One month after the latest electrocution in Iraq, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey has proposed an amendment to a defense appropriations bill that would hold government contractors accountable for the safety of overseas military personnel and civilians working abroad.
The legislation would close a loophole that allowed shoddy electrical work and other problems on American military bases to go uncorrected, the Scranton Democrat said. It would require the Department of Defense to review contracts to ensure they include language requiring contractors to immediately correct deficiencies, such as improperly grounded facilities or equipment, that could cause death or serious injury.
Casey’s amendment also seeks to ensure safe and sanitary water systems, and establish and enforce strict standards for preventing and prosecuting instances of sexual assault.
He has been an outspoken critic of the government’s defense contracting procedures since the Jan. 2, 2008, electrocution of Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth, 24, of Shaler. The Green Beret collapsed and died when a rooftop pump shorted out and sent a lethal electrical current along water running through metal pipes into his shower in the Radwaniyah Palace Complex in Iraq.
Maseth is among 10 service members and civilian contractors in Iraq who died from electrocutions that could have been prevented, according to Casey.
The most recent occurred Sept. 1 when Adam Hermanson, 25, of Muncy collapsed and died in his shower at Camp Olympia inside Baghdad’s Green Zone. The Air Force veteran, who completed four tours of duty in Iraq, was working as a civilian contractor for Triple Canopy Security Service.
“We’ve had lots of investigation and lots of reviews, but, in my judgment, not enough in the way of answers,” Casey said. He said the Defense and State departments are obligated to provide families with answers about how the electrocutions continue to happen.
Maseth’s parents, Cheryl Harris and Douglas Maseth, filed suit in federal court against defense contractor KBR Inc., alleging shoddy electrical work killed their son. KBR denies responsibility for the soldier’s death, which brought national attention to the electrocution issue and prompted government inspections of facilities military personnel use.
Hermanson’s widow, Janine, said she does not know much about her husband’s living quarters or what he was doing in connection with the war effort because he was not permitted to talk about it. The dental assistant, who is staying with her parents in Muncy, said she learned about his death when she got a phone call at work.
“When he didn’t show up for work, they got worried, and a co-worker went to check on him. He was found in his room in the shower,” she said.
She described her husband as a strong, family-oriented man who did everything he could for his family and friends. They met while serving in the Air Force as they were preparing for deployment to Iraq and would have celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary five days after his death, she said.
“I never had to worry about anything when he was around,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. (click HERE for original article)
I ‘ve said this before, but I am going to say it again…..”WHAT THE HELL!” I am disturbed there has be been a law passed to enforce a DoD contactor to produce potable drinking water. I can hear KBR now. “You said make water!! You didn’t say it had to be drinkable!! Now make sure we get those 100′s of millions in award fees!!” What the hell!!! DoD you are freakin’ FIRED!!
And as for sexual and other assaults….”You must now prevent and prosecute those!” No more LaVena Johnson’s out there. Is the Army CID actually going to have to investigate and recommend charges against someone who rapes and or assaults someone else.
You can bet you bottom dollar the attorney’s for KBR, Fluor (aka KBR east), Dyncorp and other DoD contractors are scanning this bill to see how they can get out of having to do what they are contracted to do……and still get paid!
Ms Sparky
MUNCY – On September 1 at 11:30 in the evening, Janine Hermanson received a phone call from the US Embassy in Iraq that her husband, Adam Hermanson was found dead in the shower. No explanation was given other than the fact that he was electrocuted because they found burn marks on his arm and hand. They were only married for three months.
