The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) and the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are planning a workshop to explore issues surrounding tower climber safety, injury prevention, and fatalities involving work on communications towers. In 2013, there were thirteen communications tower-related fatalities — more than occurred in 2011 and 2012 combined. The fatality rate for tower climbing work is more than ten times greater than that of the construction industry, and nine fatalities involving tower work have occurred in 2014 to date. The workshop will include panel discussions focusing on: (1) factors contributing to the high rate of tower climber injuries and fatalities; and (2) best practices that ensure tower climber safety and prevent injuries and fatalities. The workshop will be held at FCC Headquarters in Washington, DC on October 14, 2014 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. Audio and/or video coverage of the meeting will be provided over the Internet from the FCC’s Web page at http://www.fcc.gov/live.
For additional information, please contact Erin Fitzgerald.
