View Rule

View EO 12866 Meetings Printer-Friendly Version     Download RIN Data in XML
DOL/OSHA RIN: 1218-AC90 Publication ID: Spring 2014 
Title: ●Communication Towers 
Abstract: During the 1990s, the growing demand for wireless and broadcast communications spurred a dramatic increase in the number of communication towers being erected, maintained and serviced. While the number of employees engaged in the communication tower industry remains small, the fatality rate is very high. Over the past 20 years, this industry has experienced an average fatality rate that greatly exceeds that of the construction industry, for example. In 2013, the industry experienced a dramatic increase in the number of fatalities occurring during communication tower work, with 13 total fatalities. Falls are the leading cause of death in tower work. Fall protection is used either improperly or inconsistently. Several communication towers have recently collapsed while employees worked on structural modifications. Employees are often hoisted to working levels on small base-mounted drum hoists that have been mounted to a truck chassis, and these may not be rated to hoist personnel. Communication tower construction and maintenance activities are not adequately covered by current OSHA fall protection and personnel hoisting standards. 
Agency: Department of Labor(DOL)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Prerule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 29 CFR 1926    29 CFR 1910   
Legal Authority: 29 USC 655   
Legal Deadline:
Action Source Description Date
Other  Statutory  Request for Information  06/30/2014 
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Request For Information  06/00/2014 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Dean McKenzie
Director, Directorate of Construction
Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3468,
Washington, DC 20210
Phone:202 693-2020
Fax:202 693-1689
Email: mckenzie.dean@dol.gov