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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has expressed concern about the safety of workers on cellphone towers. In a news release, OSHA pointed to the recent death of a maintenance worker who fell from a tower in Texas. That fatality was followed by the collapse of two towers in West Virginia, resulting in the deaths of two workers and a firefighter and serious injuries to two other workers.
These recent tragedies are indicative of what OSHA sees as an alarming increase in preventable work-related injuries and fatalities at communication towers. Thirteen people lost their lives in tower accidents in 2013, more than in the previous two years combined.
As more towers are erected and older ones require maintenance, the risk of injury and death continues to go up. Despite OSHA regulations that require proper training and fall protection equipment for tower workers, falls accounted for the majority of the fatal accidents in 2013.
In addition, tower climbers have been injured or killed as a result of falling objects, tower collapses, and equipment failure.
Because of the increased concern, OSHA is collaborating with the National Association of Tower Erectors as well as other interested parties to improve safety and prevent injuries. OSHA sent a letter to employers urging them to step up compliance with safety practices and procedures and created a website addressing safety issues.
Falls have consistently been in OSHA’s “Fatal Four” which represent the leading causes of fatal accidents in the construction industry as a whole each year.
Given the height of an average cell phone tower is comes as no surprise that falls also represent the majority of the tower fatalities each year. If you work in the tower industry, training and proper safety equipment are key to staying safe while on the job. If you are concerned that your employer is not providing the proper equipment or training, you have a right to file a complaint with OSHA without fear of reprisals.