“Irresponsible construction methods” and a “gross disregard” for safety led to the fatal January collapse of an aircraft hangar being built in Boise, Idaho, according to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration . On July 26, the agency cited the contractor, Big D Builders Inc., for a willful violation and three alleged serious violations of safety rules and ordered it to pay nearly $200,000 in fines.
Three workers died in the collapse, including Craig Durrant, co-owner of the Meridian, Idaho contractor. Nine other workers were injured, eight seriously, according to OSHA.
OSHA inspectors found that Big D Builders did not use sufficient bracing or tension cables before the collapse. Officials also said the contractor continued to work despite several signs that the structure was unstable, including visibly bent I-beams, unbalanced columns and broken wire rope cables.
Officials said the steel erection work was performed in areas with mud and standing water that had not been properly graded and drained. In addition, inspectors found pre-engineered rigid frames with heavy hex bolts and nuts that had not been adjusted, and said employees lacked proper training.
“The company’s irresponsible construction methods left the aircraft hangar structure extremely vulnerable,” David Kearns, OSHA’s Boise area director, said in a statement.
A representative for Big D Builders declined to comment on the subpoenas because of a pending lawsuit filed by the families of two workers killed in the collapse.
OSHA also cited Boise crane company Inland Crane Inc. about the collapse and offered to pay a fine of $10,000. “OSHA recently informed Inland Crane that its investigation confirms our initial assessment that neither Inland Crane employees nor equipment were responsible for the hangar collapse,” the company said in a statement.
Both companies have 15 days after receiving the subpoenas to request a conference with OSHA or contest the findings.
