SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) One of the two companies facing big OSHA fines in the Sioux Falls Building Collapse claims that the penalties are "grossly" out of whack with its part in the project.
Command Center provided temporary workers. Corporate Attorney Brendan Simaytis says the company will appeal the $114,000 fine.
"Command Center and its employees had absolutely nothing to do with the ultimate reason the building collapsed. There were no Command Center workers on site at the time of this tragic incident." says Simaytis in a statement to KELO.COM News.
Simaytis says Command Center's role in the project was providing workers to work under the direction and supervision of Hultgren Construction, which was remodeling the downtown building that collapsed on December 2, 2016. OSHA has fined Hultgren nearly $100,000.
"We believe the citations and penalties are grossly disproportionate to any activities our employees were involved in at the worksite prior to the collapse." says Simaytis.
Hultgren Construction was non-committal in its official response to the OSHA fine.
"As part of this on-going process, we are currently reviewing the documents and will be in contact with OSHA with our response. OSHA, as well as all interested parties, continue to receive our full cooperation." says Aaron Hultgren.
A construction worker died in the building collapse on Phillips Avenue at the Old Copper Lounge Building, and a woman living in an apartment above was rescued after hours trapped in the rubble.