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DOL/OSHA | RIN: 1218-AC90 | Publication ID: Spring 2024 |
Title: Communication Tower Safety | |
Abstract:
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. Due to recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) spectrum auctions and innovations in cellular technology, there will be a very high level of construction activity taking place on communication towers over the next few years. A similar increase in the number of construction projects needed to support cellular phone coverage triggered a spike in fatality and injury rates years ago. Based on information collected from an April 2015 Request for Information (RFI), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) concluded that current OSHA requirements such as those for fall protection and personnel hoisting, may not adequately cover all hazards of communication tower construction and maintenance activities. OSHA will use information collected from a Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) panel to identify effective work practices and advances in engineering technology that would best address industry safety and health concerns. The Panel carefully considered the issue of the expansion of the rule beyond just communication towers. OSHA will continue to consider also covering structures that have telecommunications equipment on or attached to them (e.g., buildings, rooftops, water towers, billboards). |
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Agency: Department of Labor(DOL) | Priority: Other Significant |
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda | Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage |
Major: Undetermined | Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined |
CFR Citation: 29 CFR 1926 29 CFR 1910 | |
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b) 5 U.S.C. 609 |
Legal Deadline:
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Timetable:
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: YES | Government Levels Affected: Local, State |
Small Entities Affected: Businesses | Federalism: No |
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No | |
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes | |
Agency Contact: Scott Ketcham Director, Directorate of Construction Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room N-3468, FP Building, Washington, DC 20210 Phone:202 693-2020 Fax:202 693-1689 Email: ketcham.scott@dol.gov |