A federal whistleblower investigation found a Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based helicopter ambulance servicer retaliated against a mechanic who reported safety concerns over several months last year, later filed a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration and was subsequently fired.
An Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation found that Avera Careflight — a division of Avera McKennan — violated federal law that protects workers who voice safety concerns, and the agency ordered the company to reinstate the mechanic, according to a statement issued Thursday.
In addition, OSHA directed Avera Careflight to pay the employee more than $30,600 in back wages and $25,000 in damages and to remove negative reports from the worker’s personnel record, according to the statement.
The company and the former employee may file objections or request a hearing with the department’s Office of Administrative Law Judges within 30 days of receiving the agency’s order.
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