Communication Towers

What are the hazards associated with communication towers?

The main hazard for workers is falling to a lower level, which can result in serious injury or death. In addition, workers on communication towers with active transmitters can become overexposed to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields from transmitters.

What can I do to protect myself?

Unless trained about fall protection and provided with the appropriate fall protection equipment, no worker should be assigned to work on a communication tower. Workers should also know the potential health effects associated with exposure to RF fields for prolonged periods of time.

What resources are available to assist employers?

Training and Outreach Services

These presentations on fall protection, hazard communication, and lockout/tagout are available and can assist employers in training their staff.  The presentation should be modified to address site-specific conditions and hazards. The following webinars are available for viewing at any time: fall protection in construction, hazard communication, and lockout/tagout.

In addition, the education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request. 

Further, the NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC).

Safety and Health Programs

In addition, the following programs are available for customizing for the workplace: fall protection plan, lockout/tagout, and hazard communication.

Safety and Health Topics

More related information can be found on the safety and health topic pages for fall protection, hazard communication, lockout/tagout and radiation, ionizing and non-ionizing. 

Consultation Services

The consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards.

Which standards apply?

OSH has adopted the following standards which are applicable to communication towers in North Carolina. Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic. 

North Carolina State-specific standards

• 13 NCAC 07F. 0601 - .0609  -  Communication Tower Standards
  • 13 NCAC 07F .0601 - scope and application
  • 13 NCAC 07F .0602 - definitions
  • 13 NCAC 07F .0603 - employer responsibilities
  • 13 NCAC 07F .0604 - hazard identification and assessment
  • 13 NCAC 07F .0605 - fall protection
  • 13 NCAC 07F .0606 - nonionizing radiation
  • 13 NCAC 07F .0607 - hoists and gin poles
  • 13 NCAC 07F .0608 - recordkeeping
  • 13 NCAC 07F .0609 - training

The following OSH standards are referenced in the communication tower standards:

General Industry

• 29 CFR 1910.147 - lockout/tagout
• 29 CFR 1910.151 (29 CFR 1926.50) - medical services and first aid
• 29 CFR 1910.179 - overhead and gantry cranes
• 29 CFR 1910.1020 - access to employee exposure and medical records
• 29 CFR 1910.1200 - hazard communication

Construction

• 29 CFR 1926.55 - gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists
• 29  CFR 1926.502 - fall protection systems criteria and practices
• 29 CFR 1926 Subpart N - helicopters, hoists, elevators, and conveyors

The following standards may apply when accessing communication towers attached to other structures:

General Industry

• 29 CFR 1910.268 - telecommunications
• 29 CFR 1910.269 - electric power generation, transmission and distribution

Construction

• 29 CFR 1926 Subpart V - transmission towers

Other Applicable Standards

The Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can help identify other standards that may be applicable to your worksite. 

Where can I learn more?

Fact Sheets

• NCDOL Investigates: Communication Towers provides an overview of the investigation process for fatalities resulting from work on communication towers.

Compliance Documents

• Compliance Directive: CPL 02-01-056, Accessing Communication Towers by Hoist, describes the OSH Division inspection policy for uniform enforcement of standards addressing fall protection and safe access to communications towers when using a personnel hoist to take employees to or from workstations.
• Operational Procedure Notice: OPN 122 - Special Emphasis Program for Communication Towers describes the inspection procedures for the hazards associated with working on or near communication towers.

Industry Guides

• Industry Guide 48 OSHA Construction Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training provides the requirements of standards related to communication towers in construction
• Industry Guide 49 - OSHA General Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training provides the requirements of standards related to communication towers in general industry

Technical Assistance

Inquiries about workplace safety and health requirements can be submitted to Ask OSH through the online form, by email to ask.osh@labor.nc.gov, or by phone at 919-707-7876.