WASHINGTON-John Henshaw, head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, has urged major U.S. mobile phone operators and tower owners to hire only those construction firms that have proven safety records and that follow federal guidelines.
In an April 18 letter obtained by RCR Wireless News, Henshaw said industry cooperation is needed to address “a serious problem in the communications tower industry” that has claimed more than 150 lives over the past decade.
The letter, while not a federal directive, is the most targeted statement to date by a high-ranking OSHA official on tower safety and reflects a strategy shift insofar as expanding the agency’s outreach effort.
“I ask that you seriously consider contracting only with tower erection companies that have excellent safety and health records and that you require in your contracts the following: (1) the erector comply with all OSHA requirements, and (2) all contracts with subcontractors contain the same provision,” Henshaw stated. “In addition, these contracts should contain strong language regarding the importance of good safety and health programs, employee training and education, and fall prevention and fall arrest systems.”
