OSHA issues new directive to keep communication tower workers safe: new citations issued to protect workers

OSHA has updated its Communication Tower directive (*PDF) regarding the use of hoist systems used to move workers to and from workstations on communication towers. This follows an alarming increase in preventable injuries and fatalities at communication tower work sites. More fatalities occurred in this industry in 2013 than in the previous two years combined. This disturbing trend appears to be continuing, with nine worker deaths occurring so far in 2014.

The directive outlines the proper use of hoist and other fall arrest systems, includes detailed information on how to hoist people safely and updates a 2002 enforcement policy, which only covered the hoisting of workers to workstations during new tower erection activities. The updated policy covers any work on a communication tower - including both maintenance and new construction - that involves the use of a hoist to lift workers from one elevated workstation to another. For more information, see the news release.

In addition, OSHA has issued a number of recent citations to companies who are endangering tower workers. Recently, OSHA cited Ohio-based Morlan Enterprises with willful and serious safety violations after its workers were expected to free climb a 195-foot tower without adequate fall protection. For more information, see the news release.

In a separate incident, OSHA cited a West Virginia cell tower company for safety hazards following a tower collapse in February that seriously injured two workers and claimed the lives of two employees and a volunteer firefighter. While making modifications to an existing cellular communication tower, the tower collapsed while the employees were removing diagonal bracing. S and S Communication Specialists was cited for two serious workplace violations for directing employees to remove diagonal structural members on communication towers without using temporary braces or supports, and for allowing employees to be tied off to bracing that was not capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds. For more information, see the news release.