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OSHA is collaborating with the National Association of Tower Erectors and other industry stakeholders to ensure that communication tower employers understand their responsibility to protect workers performing this high-hazard work. The collaboration was sparked by recent tragedies, the agency says. On Jan. 31, a maintenance worker fell to his death from a cell tower in Cameron County, TX. The next day, a cell phone tower collapsed in Clarksburg, WV. Minutes later a second tower at the same site fell. Two workers and a firefighter responding to the scene died and two employees suffered serious injuries.
OSHA reports that 13 fatalities occurred in this industry in 2013, more than in the previous 2 years combined. Most of these fatalities were the result of falling. This trend appears to be continuing with the four deaths occurring in the first five weeks of 2014. In response, the agency has sent a letter to communication tower employers urging compliance and strict adherence to safety standards and common-sense practices. A new web page examines the issues surrounding communication tower work.
