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Big D Builders has resumed construction on an airport hangar in Boise, Idaho, that collapsed and killed three people nearly a year ago, a spokesman for the contractor told Construction Dive.
Meridian, Idaho-based Big D Builders continues construction on the Jackson Jet-owned hangar at Boise Airport.
On January 31, 2024, the hangar collapsed while under construction, killing Craig Durrant, 59; Mario Sontay Tzi, 32 years old; and Mariano Coc Och, 24 years old. Durrant was a co-founder of Big D Builders and brother of Dennis Durrant, owner of the company. The workers, supposedly raised concerns about the structure the day before the collapse.
OSHA Findings, launched in July, alleged that the contractor did not follow regulations when erecting the hangar, leaving many critical connection bolts loose and using straps to straighten the lights instead of installing additional braces or temporary lines according to steel erection standards.
The agency also claims the contractor failed to properly train workers on how to build steel spans and allowed cranes and other heavy equipment to operate in mud and standing water, putting workers at risk of toppling the team
As a result, OSHA cited Big D Builders with one willful violation and three serious violations, totaling $198,586 in initial penalties. At the time of publication, the the subpoenas remain contestedwhich means they can be reduced from the initial amount.
OSHA also cited Boise-based Inland Crane Inc., the project’s crane contractor, with a serious safety violation, proposing an initial fine of $10,163. Inland Crane also contested the citations, but said OSHA’s findings indicated that Inland Crane employees and equipment were not responsible for the incident in a statement to Construction Dive at the time of the citations.
Just weeks before OSHA’s findings, families of deceased workers filed a lawsuit, seeking damages from the construction team, alleging that the builders “recklessly” rushed into construction.
