The National Association of Tower Erectors has submitted comments to OSHA about communication tower safety.
OSHA made a formal request for information from NATE to get its hands on information that NATE has collected from tower workers, wireless carriers, engineering and construction management firms, tower owners, and tower construction and maintenance companies regarding the causes of employee injuries and fatalities and how employers and workers are addressing these issues.
“The association’s responses to the questions outlined in the RFI reflect NATE’s role as the industry leader in safety, standards and education, and highlights the ongoing initiatives that private industry is working on to raise the bar on worker safety and quality,” NATE Executive Director Todd Schlekeway said.
This comes after OSHA had been having a hard time getting tower workers and others in the industry to participate in the survey, leading some to call out climbers for their lack of participation.
“Maybe we’re fine, maybe the tower industry is fine,” Wade Sarver, a prominent tower blogger said in a post on Facebook. “Maybe all that most climbers are worth are $10/hour to risk their lives. Maybe all the mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, boys, and girls that lost a family member mean nothing to you. It wasn’t you that got hurt, only a fellow worker in the wireless industry.”
In July, OSHA will update its communications tower directive, which outlines the proper use of hoist systems used to move workers up and down towers. The directive update came after what OSHA called “an alarming increase in preventable injuries and fatalities at communication tower work sites.”
“This directive ensures that communication tower workers are protected regardless of the type of the work they are doing on communication towers,” David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for OSHA said. “Employers and cell tower owners and operators must make sure workers are properly trained and protected.”
The deadline for submitting responses to the OSHA RFI is June 15. To submit comments and additional materials electronically in the Federal Register, click here.
