The way in which we communicate has changed a lot over the past few decades. In the 1980s, very few people used cell phones. In the 1990s, we were just learning how to text. It wasn’t until after the turn of the century that cell phones generally, and smartphones more specifically, became such an important part of how we communicate with one another.
This increase in cell phone use has also meant an increase in the construction of communication towers. The construction of communication towers used to be a small, specialized field of construction, but now it may include more construction workers. Accordingly, it is important for all construction workers to understand the risks of this kind of work and to know what to do if they are injured.
The Risks of Communication Tower Construction
Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identified seven potential risks for workers who are building, maintaining, or otherwise working on communication towers. Those risks include:
- Falls from heights
- Electrical hazards
- Hoisting people or equipment
- Bad weather
- Falling objects
- Equipment failure
- The structural collapse of the tower
Other risks also exist. If you are hurt then it is important to get immediate medical attention, to report the accident to your employer, and to make sure that your legal rights are protected.
Why This Is Important Now
In 2013, there were 13 reported fatalities related to communication tower work. In the first half of 2014, there were nine such fatalities. OSHA reports that this is a significant increase over previous years and is, thus, raising awareness about the dangers.
You can help raise awareness about this issue by sharing this article on Facebook, on Twitter, or directly with your friends in the industry. Together, we can all work to help prevent construction accidents on communication towers that go up near the Garden State Parkway, the New Jersey Turnpike, and elsewhere in the area.
