WASHINGTON — Military leaders and a major military contractor failed to protect a Green Beret who was electrocuted while showering in his barracks in Iraq, the Defense Department's Inspector General determined in a report released Monday.

The early 2008 death of Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth, 24, of Pittsburgh, triggered an investigation by the IG of Maseth's death, but also a review of 17 other electrocution deaths in Iraq. Uproar over it also led to the electrical inspections of about 90,000 U.S.-maintained facilities in Iraq, which are ongoing.

The inspector general says in its findings that "multiple systems and organizations" failed and exposed Maseth to "unacceptable risk."

Cheryl Harris, Maseth's mother, said in a statement she read over telephone that she was pleased that the IG conducted the investigation.

"The results are revealing and contrary to what KBR and its president have continuously stated," Harris said.

Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., said KBR should be sanctioned or punished somehow, but the report also raises questions about oversight of contract work.

"There's much more work to be done to hold those responsible accountable," Casey said.

Maseth was electrocuted while showering when he came in contact with an energized metal shower and hose caused by the failure of an ungrounded water pump located on the roof of the building, the IG said. It says military contractor KBR Inc., based in Houston, installed the pump and adjacent water tanks.

KBR did not ground equipment during installation or report improperly grounded equipment during routine maintenance, the inspector general said. It also says KBR did not have standard operating procedures for the technical inspection of facilities.

But it also says military commanders and key decision makers failed to ensure that renovations were properly performed and did not address the maintenance situation.

"Individuals and responsible officials underestimated the risk associated with continued, long-term use of ungrounded electrical systems in Iraqi-constructed facilities," the IG said.

Heather Browne, a KBR spokeswoman, said the company had not seen the report and would not comment on the contents. But she said in an e-mail that while Maseth's death was tragic the company maintains it is not responsible. She said KBR informed the military of the absence of grounding and bonding in the structure nine months before Maseth's death.