Abstract
NIOSH researchers investigate tower-related fatalities to find ways that tower deaths could have been prevented. Within the past year, NIOSH investigated six incidents where workers were killed during tower work. Each investigation results in a brief, written report describing the conditions at the work site, the task the worker was performing, the tools the worker was using, and other factors which might have led to the fatality. Recommendations are presented to prevent other worker deaths in similar work conditions. The reports are provided to the employer of the deceased worker, and are also available to the public. Many of the hazards discovered during these investigations are already being confronted by National Association Tower Erectors (NATE) through fall protection, guidelines for safe access to tower work stations, limiting RF (radiofrequency) exposure, and inspection of hoist systems and gin boles. It is important that more tower workers and their employers are aware of the hazards of tower work and take caution to avoid them.
