Building a Better Tower Climber Industry

If employers, be they contractors or subcontractors, refuse to change and treat their employees like human beings, then it is up to the employees and their families to unite and fight for justice and equality in the work environment. Tower climbers cannot keep putting themselves at risk so that big mobile companies can make a profit.

Tower Climber Union

While it is true that it is the responsibility of the tower climber to practice safety, good judgement, take every precaution and stay focused, among other things, one of the proactive steps that tower climbers can take is to exercise their rights as employees. Have you wondered why there is not a union that is organized to protect the human rights of these workers that just want to make a fair and honest living?

There needs to be a leader or a team of leaders, someone that will stand up to adversity because these are troubled times. When workers come together they will have one voice to represent all of them about these important matters: life and death.

The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE)

This is different than The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE). NATE is a nonprofit trade association providing a unified voice for tower erection, maintenance and service companies. As a member driven association, NATE is led by its Board of Directors. These individuals come from all types and sizes of companies located throughout the United States.

This is all well and good. In other words this is an association for the industry as a whole.

However, where is the voice for the workers, who without them, none of this would be possible? What is needed is the worker-centered, worker-action, worker-representation union. Tower climbing is one of the most dangerous professions known to man. Workers do not have to live with this legacy. Workers die in this line of work often and nearly nothing is done to protect the lives and safety of these Individuals.

Big wireless cell companies do not directly hire these workers because they know that they are a major risk. If cell phone companies hired them under contract they would be responsible for every accident and or death in the field. Instead, cell phone companies hire independent contractors and contractors hire subcontractors to employ tower climbers. This way in the event of an accident or death the big mobile phone company is protected legally and financially.

There are too many workers climbing towers and employees who are not compensated adequately when you factor in the likelihood of major injury and or even in the case of accidental death.

A well led union would be able to address matters of salary, safety, working conditions, insurance and medical benefits to name a few. All of these issues would improve the quality of life for tower climbing workers.

There needs to be a change in the way this work industry is structured, managed and overseen.

Someone must be held accountable when these tower climbers are injured and or die at the

workplace.

The good news it that things can get better. There is not an industry that does not go through these growing pains.

The only thing consistent in life is change and hopefully for this industry a change will come sooner than later.

Building a Better Tower Climber Industry

Cell Tower Climbers: Dos and Donts

In 2013 thirteen professional cell tower climbers were killed on the job. Between 2003 and 2011, nearly 100 were killed. Thirteen people doesn’t seem like a whole lot of people compared to some other hazardous jobs, such as loggers or structural steel workers, but there are comparatively few cell tower workers making the rate of fatalities much higher than the numbers seem to reflect. In 2004, there were 10 deaths among approximately 8,700 workers, for a death rate of 115 per 100,000, making professional tower climbing one of the nation’s deadliest professions, ahead of both logging workers and airline pilots, who died on the job at a rate of 92.4 per 100,000 each. Some of these towers are upwards of 1,000 feet high.


If you work, or are considering a job, as a cell tower worker, I say this not to scare you away from the job, but to make you aware of just how hazardous the job can be, especially when proper safety precautions are not observed. Most cell tower workers are employed by small subcontracting companies, not the major cell carriers, and some of these smaller companies try to cut corners on safety. No matter who you work for, there are some things you can do to improve the chances that you will make it home at the end of every day.

Do:

• ALWAYS STAY ALERT!!! All the safety equipment in the world can’t protect you if you aren’t paying attention.


• Make certain you have adequate safety gear, including a full body harness, positioning and shock absorbing lanyards, hard hat or helmet with chin strap, weight rated carabiners in various sizes, and a good tool bag.


• USE your safety equipment, and use it properly. All the safety equipment in the world is no good to you if you leave it in the truck, or if it isn’t secure, or if it isn’t adjusted properly.


• Regularly inspect your safety gear to ensure it is in good working condition. Replace your gear any time it starts to show wear.


• Stay hydrated. Dehydration can affect your balance and your ability to focus.


• Always have the next safety line in place before detaching the last one.


• Know exactly where you are. In an emergency, you need to be able to give responders your exact location, street and address, and directions to get to you.


• Climb with your legs, not your arms. Use your leg muscles to propel you up and your arms for balance. If your arms are tired before you even get to the top, it will be hard to use your tools effectively.

Don’t:

Get in a hurry. When you start to rush, you start to get careless. Take your time, it’s nice to get home early, but going home alive is much more important.

Work alone. Should you get into trouble, you may not be able to call for help.

Climb when tired. It’s difficult to pay attention and stay alert if you’re not well-rested.

Climb if you hear thunder. Where there is thunder, there is lightning, and if you’re in a tower, you’re a target. If you’re already in the tower when you hear thunder, climb down and wait for the storm to pass. Also avoid climbing in high winds.

Throw tools or other items off the tower. Does this really need an explanation?

Allow visitors or onlookers. You don’t need the distraction, so for your safety and theirs, don’t let people hang around the tower while you’re working.

Alter your harness or other safety equipment in any way. Punching extra holes in straps or making other alterations not intended by the manufacturer can weaken the material, making it less able to protect you. If your equipment doesn’t fit properly, you need new equipment.

Use drugs or climb if you’ve been drinking. It’s sad that this even needs to be said, but seriously, keep it sober and clean. Not only will drugs or alcohol impair your judgment, but worker’s compensation will not pay if you have anything in your system.

If you find yourself working for a company that doesn’t observe safe practices, you might want to consider finding a different job. Until then, you may have to take matters into your own hands. Just remember, if you are injured or killed on the job, it’s your family that suffers, not your company. They will hire someone to take your place and keep going like nothing happened. Your family can’t replace you that easily.

Ultimately, most of the fatalities in cell tower climbers can be traced back to inadequate or poorly maintained safety equipment and/or a worker neglecting basic safety protocols. If you stay alert, keep your safety gear in good working order and use it properly, you will be far more likely to make it home at the end of the day. Stay aware, stay safe, stay alive.

Cell Tower Climbers: Dos and Donts