BOISE, Idaho — The steel construction company building the private hangar that collapsed Wednesday in Boise has several workplace violations dating back to 2014, according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) records.
Big D Builders, Inc. has seven OSHA citations and has been fined tens of thousands of dollars over the past decade on projects across the Treasure Valley for failing to protect workers.
OSHA records show the agency cited Big D Builders after complaints and referrals for issues including improper training in putting up extension ladders, fall hazards and employees walking or working on surfaces with unprotected sides, edges or openings.
OSHA Area Director David Kearns said it is not uncommon for construction companies to have a number of citations.
7 Investigates did not find any OSHA complaints related to the construction of the hangar on Boise Airport property, belonging to the Jackson Jet Center.
According to Idaho Secretary of State records, Big D has been operating in business in the valley since 1996. 7 Investigates reached out to Big D multiple times but had not heard back as of Thursday evening.
Three people were killed and nine were injured when a privately-owned hangar under construction collapsed Wednesday evening at West Rickenbacker Street and Luke Street near the airport. The Boise Fire Department said five of the nine injured are in critical condition.
KTVB on Thursday learned Inland Crane was hired to provide the cranes to help build the hangar. According to a statement from Jeremy Haener, Vice President of Inland Crane, a crane was working to place an end truss when the hangar collapsed "due to an unknown structural failure."
Haener said the crane boom snapped on impact. Inland Crane originally had four cranes at the location to build the hangar, but the steel erection contractor requested for three of the cranes to be removed with a majority of the work done by Wednesday afternoon.
The emergency response was completed Thursday, and the scene has been turned over to OSHA investigators. Officials said ongoing updates will not be provided on the condition of those injured, and the incident remains under investigation.
“It’s one of the most tragic events that I can recall in recent history in Boise regarding workplace," Kearns said.
Kearns said they have six months to issue any citations because of a statute of limitations. Because of complexities, he thinks the investigation will likely take that long.
KTVB confirmed through city permits that the hangar is being built at the Jackson Jet Center. Boise Fire Division Chief of Operations Aaron Hummel said initial reports stated 30 people were working in the area.
The scene remains secured Thursday with fencing, and Wright Street is still closed between West Rickenbacker Street and Orchard Street. Additional updates on the cause of the hangar collapse and future plans for the site will come from representatives with OSHA.
The Ada County Coroner's Office will release the names of the three who died in the incident after notifying their families.
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