A year after a devastating collapse at the Boise Airport hangar construction site, which claimed three lives and injured eight others, work has resumed under the supervision of Big D Builders. The company, which was initially responsible for the project, has regained control of the site and is making progress on rebuilding the aircraft hangar. Public records show that Big D Builders is once again overseeing the construction. Following the incident in January 2024, OSHA conducted an extensive investigation and later released a report highlighting multiple safety violations by the contractor.

Resumption of Construction Amidst Safety Concerns

The tragic event occurred when a privately owned hangar under construction collapsed on January 31, 2024, leading to the deaths of three workers and injuries to eight more. First responders worked tirelessly throughout the night to rescue those affected. After the disaster, OSHA took charge of the site to conduct a thorough investigation. In April, once sufficient evidence was gathered, OSHA relinquished control back to Big D Builders. By June, the damaged structure had been demolished, paving the way for reconstruction efforts.

Despite the resumption of construction, concerns about safety protocols remain paramount. The collapse was attributed to multiple signs of structural instability, including visibly curved I-beams, unbalanced columns, and snapped wire rope cables. OSHA's findings emphasized the company's disregard for federal safety regulations, resulting in severe penalties. David Kearns, OSHA Area Director, criticized Big D Builders for irresponsible construction methods that left the structure extremely vulnerable. The company faces significant financial penalties totaling $198,586 for various safety violations.

OSHA Investigation and Penalties

Following the collapse, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) initiated an investigation into the causes of the accident. Their comprehensive report, released in late July 2024, highlighted numerous safety lapses. OSHA cited Big D Builders for one willful violation and three serious violations of federal safety regulations. These infractions underscored the company's failure to adhere to essential safety practices, leading to the tragic loss of life and injury.

In addition to penalizing Big D Builders, OSHA also issued citations to Inland Crane for exposing workers to collapse hazards. The crane operator was fined $10,163 for failing to ensure stability during the hangar erection process. The full extent of OSHA's report revealed that the hangar's structure exhibited multiple signs of instability, such as bent and wavy I-beams, unbalanced columns, and broken wire ropes. This negligence not only endangered workers but also compromised the integrity of the entire construction project. As Big D Builders resumes work, stringent safety measures are expected to be enforced to prevent any recurrence of such tragedies.