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The fatality rate of tower erectors is considerably higher than other high risk industry groups and erectors, tower owners and OSHA are quickly moving forward to reduce this alarming statistic.

It appeared to be working in 2005 when seven fatalities saw a drop from 2004's ten deaths reported from falling from a structure (see tower fatalities ), but many others have been injured. There were 13 fatalities during 2003 in addition to a death when a foundation under construction caved in. Unfortunately, 18 fatalities were reported in 2006. In 2009 the fatality rate has improved with only five deaths. 

OSHA has notified the industry that its assistance is required to improve tower safety. Although a letter sent by John Henshaw, former head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, was addressed to tower owners, carriers, broadcasters and contractors (see full text), its message is clearly directed at all companies as well as local, state and federal agencies that contract for the services of tower erectors, maintenance and service companies.

The Assistant Secretary of Labor’s enforcement request is one of the results of years of discussions between the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE), according to Patrick Howey, the organization’s executive director.

"The biggest risk on a tower site is an unqualified and ill-equipped crew performing work," said Howey during an industry interview. "Unqualified contractors are often able to underbid their competition because they have not invested in proper equipment, safety and  training. Furthermore, qualified contractors sometimes subcontract their jobs to those same unsafe companies. Owners and carriers can help address this problem by knowing who is performing work on their sites and requiring that the company performing the job be qualified," Howey explained.

Many contractors and tower companies already abide by stringent safety procedures. Some firms have extensive in house training programs for newly hired tower technicians, and refresher courses for veteran climbers.

One management company requires their contractors’ employees to be 100% tied off at all times when working six feet above ground level and they must be certified as a Competent Tower Climber. They pre-qualify the organizations that can provide this training and certification.

All eyes are on North Carolina and Michigan

The North Carolina Fall Protection Standard and the state's Communications Tower Standard have been approved and are in force. Michigan also has a safety standard. Industry observers believe that other states with their own OSH program might use a national standard that is being considered. 

Likelihood of a construction related accident is found to be during the employee's first 30 days

Statistics indicate that more than half of all tower-related construction accidents occur to employees with less than one year with their company. "That high percentage is not surprising and is certainly reflective of what we have been identifying," said Patrick Shea of Crump Insurance who tracks accidents and loss payments for the tower construction industry.See:  Economics replaces training.

Safety training fees are based upon the numerous offerings available. We recommend that you contact our listed safety training companies and organizations to obtain additional information about their services, capabilities, experience and pricing.

Numerous companies focus upon telecommunications construction safety training. Within their course offerings, you will become familiar with or gain practical experience with:

• Personal protective equipment (PPE) use and care
• Rescue equipment and procedures. Set up and manage a safe and effective raising and lowering system for an injured co-worker
• Set up and manage a self-rescue system
• Current OSHA requirements affecting all aspects of wireless construction
• The physics involved in falls, including dynamics of the load, shock load, vector loads, principles of mechanical advantage, and current nationally recognized competency standards in belaying and protecting a fellow worker
• Exposure to the primary medical concerns and treatment associated with typical tower injuries
• Confined space procedures required for interior work on monopoles, water tanks and other enclosed facilities.
• Hazard assessment
• RF training covering FCC, NEPA and OSHA policies pertaining to RF sites.

The safety and health of all employees must be everyone's main concern! You can prevent accidents by taking a pro-active approach to safety, which will provide a safe working environment and have a positive impact on your company's profitability.

NIOSH investigates fatal tower injuries

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)  has provided detailed investigation reports of fatalities that occurred because of a fall from a communications tower.Their site provides a worthwhile and sobering look of how easy it is to accidentally fall from a structure if you do not work in a 100% tie off environment. Go to NIOSH Search.   

North Carolina's non-ionization radiation safety standard, expected to be approved during the 2006 legislative session, may be adopted by other state OSH programs as their standard. For additional information, see New NC Safety Standard.

For minimum guidelines for working in radio frequency environments in excess of the general population limits, visit RF Compliance.

Lessons learned provide excellent tailgate sessions. When you visit the Wireless Estimator Discussion Forum you'll be able to quickly view near miss incidents under the safety category. One such article details the harrowing story of a rigger that had an angel on his shoulder after doing a double back flip off a tower. See: Airborne erector cheats death twice .

It's imperative that employees are committed to knowing the proper hand signals to ensure a safe lift.

Suspension trauma can kill you

Suspension trauma can contribute to a climber's death. Industry experts say that following an arrested fall, climbers that remain suspended in an upright position for more than five minutes can die from the trauma that occurs when blood flow is restricted to the heart. There's an excellent article on the subject from Bill Weems and Phil Bishop. See: Will your safety harness kill you?

You’ve come a long way, industry

A few salty tower dogs still question the need for 100% fall protection and arrest systems. After all, they’ve been doing it their way for more than 20 years and have never had an accident. They’ll  proudly extol the lessons they passed on to their fellow climbers who still free climb and have an enviable safety record. What they will not acknowledge, however, is that the people they mentored will never be able to ask them to correct any blemish that might appear on their climbing safety record when they bocome a fatality statistic.

Whether it was fueled by the perception of immortality that surgically attaches itself to young adults, machismo, or just a plain lack of understanding, training or OSHA enforcement, few erectors prior to the early ‘80s had a safety program in place.

Tailgate sessions for some erectors were as serious as tailgate parties. Basic safety gear was a worn, mildewed tree climber’s belt complimented by a rusty pelican hook. Others thought it was fashionable to go beltless.

Five fatalities were reported in 2009, but that’s five too many. Had NATE and others not championed the need for providing a safe working environment for employees over the past years, the toll would have been truly troubling. You’ve come a long way, industry, and you must be proud!

In Wireless Estimator's Discussion Forum there is a section that focuses upon Safety Issues. You are invited to start a new thread or reply to an existing one; however, it is advised that you review all relative safety regulations and consult a safety professional prior to relying upon the accuracy of any forum member's information.

Resurgence of interest in FACE reports
Although their last tower climber fatality analysis was of a death occurring in 2003, the National Institute of Safety and Health's FACE reports are receiving renewed interest by company owners and safety instructors as they strive to employ detailed fatality information to help stem this year's rising death rate of climbers.

NIOSH's dozen Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) reports provide an excellent resource for studying the decedent's work environment, the tools he was using and the role of his employer in controlling how these factors interacted.

Although the reports provide a detached analysis of an accident, the particulars can supply a disturbing narrative for people who have suffered the loss of a loved one or co-worker.

Detailed information helps to save lives
However, industry leaders and safety professionals believe that the information can be used effectively to create a greater awareness of how fatalities can easily arise and what preventative measures can be taken to keep them from occurring.

By exposing workers to the finite details of the climber's last moments in the report's summary and investigation, it is believed that tower climbers will realize that they could have been easily subjected to the same situation by not being equipped with proper fall protection equipment or not being compliant with safe working practices. The FACE reports also provide excellent recommendations and discussions.

Guest analyses welcomed
In addition to presenting an easily accessible view of the reports, WirelessEstimator.com has also provided an opportunity for its viewers to add their input to ensure that the wireless construction industry's professional points of view are considered by OSHA, NIOSH and other associations, companies and individuals that can assist in the communal effort to reduce climber deaths and serious injuries.

More than 500 fatality investigations involving falls in all industries have been conducted since the NIOSH In-house program was founded in 1982. In 1989 the NIOSH State-based program was established. There are currently 15 states participating.

During the past 24-years, 12 of the reports involved falls from communications structures.

Virgil Casini, the FACE program's senior investigator, has been a steadfast advocate for a safer working environment for tower construction employees. While workers were succumbing to the siren call of the profitable and enormous industry growth during the mid-1990s, Casini identified the alarming increase in climber fatalities and co-authored a NIOSH Alert  to address hazards associated with telecommunication tower construction and maintenance. He has also assisted in establishing outreach programs and offering support to NATE regarding climber safety issues.

FACE off of tower fatality focus
Budgetary considerations and a new FACE focus, unfortunately, will limit the number of new investigations, if any, involving tower fatalities.

Casini said that the Morgantown, WV group of three FACE In-house inspectors' activities would be centered this year upon youth fatalities, highway and road accidents, and Hispanic worker deaths.  

Whenever you receive a quotation from a contractor that appears to be too low, identify if they have the proper insurance, safety training and the expertise to complete the job. Oftentimes they don’t! If a supplier’s or service provider’s pricing is also extremely low, ensure that the materials and/or design meet the specifications or that they’re competent in providing their service offerings. Check references at least twice and you’ll only have to cut the purchase order once! To add information to this industry topic or to ensure its accuracy, please contact us at info@wirelessestimator.com.

WARNING: This generic, non-exhaustive overview is intended to serve as a useful starting point for research and analysis of the topics addressed. Proper training, professional knowledge and oftentimes licensing are required prior to anyone providing product design, selection, installation, and construction/development-related activities. This information is neither presented to instruct nor teach anyone in the proper or safe methods of any aspect of wireless design or construction. To ensure minimum exposure and to determine compliance for a safe working environment, you must obtain the advice and guidance of an industry professional.

Failure to meet these minimum requirements and appropriate compliance responsibilities can result in serious injury or death to you or your fellow workers. All aspects of wireless construction are hazardous by nature. You have the sole responsibility to act safely and with caution prior to performing any construction-related task.