(US Military ) Safety team warns of 'catastrophic' wiring in Iraq

[sabra]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — A military team sent to evaluate electrical problems at U.S. facilities in Iraq determined there was a high risk that flawed wiring could cause further "catastrophic results" — namely, the electrocutions of U.S. soldiers.

The team said the use of a required device, commonly found in American houses to prevent electrical shocks, was "patchy at best" near showers and latrines in U.S. military facilities. There also was widespread use of uncertified electrical devices and "incomplete application" of U.S. electrical codes in buildings throughout the war-torn country, the team found.

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A copy of the team's Sept. 8 report to the then-commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, was obtained by The Associated Press through a Freedom of Information Act request.

On Wednesday, Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., said in a statement that he is disappointed the Pentagon did not share the report with Congress when it was completed. Casey said he's been trying to get more answers about the electrical problems in the past year.

"This report from a U.S. military task force confirms my worst fears: a glaring pattern of shoddy application of relevant electrical codes, the absence of critical safeguards, and the lack of adequate oversight," Casey said.

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