WASHINGTON — KBR Inc. used employees with little electrical expertise to supervise subcontractors in Iraq and hired foreigners who couldn’t speak English, former KBR electricians told a Senate panel investigating electrocutions of 13 Americans.
Experienced electricians who raised concerns about shoddy work and its possible hazards were often dismissed and told, “This is a war zone,” the electricians said Friday.
“Time and again we heard, ‘This is not the states, OSHA doesn’t apply here. If you don’t like it you can go home,’ ” said Debbie Crawford, a journeyman electrician with 30 years’ experience.
Crawford and Jefferey Bliss, also a former KBR electrician, testified in the 17th hearing held by the Democratic Policy Committee, which has been examining waste, fraud and abuse in Iraq and the performance of war contractors. Both Democrats and Republicans attended the hearing.
The Pentagon has said 13 Americans have been electrocuted in Iraq since September 2003. It has ordered Houston- based KBR to inspect all the facilities it maintains.
KBR defended its focus on safety. The Associated Press
