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“The cost of a phone call should not be worker’s life,” said NIOSH Director Linda Rosenstock at the time. In May, NIOSH, following findings in eight new investigations, said injuries and deaths resulting from tower work were occurring at a substantially greater rate than in other U.S. for willful and repeat violations of federal workplace regulations. In recent months, OSHA and its research arm-the National Institute for Occupational Safety-have flagged tower safety as a growing problem.Įarlier this month, OSHA proposed a $120,000 fine against Clear Communications Inc. “A partnership with OSHA would establish a focused inspection list, thereby letting participating NATE members know specifically what items and practices an OSHA inspector will scrutinize,” said Howey, whose association has actively promoted tower safety in recent years. An OSHA spokesman last week confirmed that such a partnership with NATE was actively under consideration.

Howey said NATE and OSHA-which is housed in the Labor Department-are close to formalizing a partnership to promote tower safety. “My understanding is that the assistant secretary of labor will be writing to tower owners and others in the industry to encourage them to recognize their responsibility to the safety of tower technicians and to operate with that critical factor in mind,” said Patrick Howey, administrator of the National Association of Tower Erectors. In addition, the letter likely will require tower owners to write federal safety requirements into contracts with tower construction firms. The OSHA letter, among other things, is expected to direct tower owners and others to contract with firms having solid safety records. “This is a request for assistance in helping ensure that towers are constructed safely,” said Rob Medlock, director of OSHA’s Cleveland office and tower task force director. OSHA head Charles Jeffress is expected shortly to write tower owners and mobile phone carriers to emphasize the importance of federal workplace safety regulation compliance. WASHINGTON-The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, concerned with increased tower construction fatalities and injuries, is putting the tower industry under the microscope.