In industry, one main focus of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration are worker deaths related to falls from cell towers. In what has been a relatively new industry during the last 30 years, cell tower construction and maintenance has been a rapidly growing field in which workers have unique fall risks. In 2013 OSHA recorded 13 communication tower-related fatalities with 12 in 2014. With strict enforcement of safety standards that number dropped to 6 in 2016. Not all fatalities were from falls. Some fatal incidents occurred because of structural collapse of towers.
However, the cell tower construction industry's unique experience highlights the role of safety in industry. According to OSHA, it is the duty of industry to have fall protection systems and protective practices in place. All companies must provide training with personal protective devices such as safety belts, lanyards, lifelines, lanyards and safety nets.
In industry, the key is planning ahead to get the job done safely, providing the right equipment for the situation, and training workers to use the equipment.
This isn't just the responsibility of the cell tower industry, but all industries in which workers climb to heights of at least six feet.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
