Company must reinstate whistleblower mechanic

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.