OSHA Increasing Scrutiny of Communication Tower Industry Following Uptick of Cell Tower Worker Fatalities

Posted on Feb 12, 2014 in OSHA | 0 comments

Following an uptick in worker injuries involved in the construction and maintenance of cell towers across the country, OSHA is taking steps to increase scrutiny of the communication tower industry.  In 2013, OSHA reported that thirteen worker fatalities occurred in this industry.  That trend has continued in 2014, as four additional worker fatalities have been caused by the collapse of cell towers in Texas and West Virginia.  On February 10, 2014, OSHA circulated a letter to all communication tower employers reminding them of the requirements for adequate safety training and fall protection.  The OSHA letter also indicates that OSHA “will be paying particular attention to contract oversight issues” and will look to not only the contractor performing work on the tower but also the tower owner, the communications carrier, and any other responsible parties in the contracting chain.  As reported yesterday in The Wall Street Journal, OSHA also subjected the industry to scrutiny in 2006 following 18 communication tower fatalities.

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