Fall from Cellular Tower Investigation Expert Article

Cellular towers require frequent service calls to repair, upgrade, or install new communications equipment. They are also subject to routine inspection related to the structural integrity of the tower and associated climbing facilities. This article looks through the lens of a specific fall incident to discuss some of the standards and safety features intended to protect communications workers when working at heights.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) have expressed concern with the risks in the communication tower industry. Tower climbers and others working in proximity to towers are exposed to numerous hazards including falls, hazards associated with structural collapses, improper rigging and hoisting practices, and “struck-by" hazards. Robson Forensic has qualified experts available to assist in the full range of case types. 

Fall From Cellular Tower - Expert Investigation

In the summer of 2013, a tower climbing crew arrived on site to perform installation of new communication equipment on a concealed cellular tower. Designed to discreetly blend in with the surrounding environment, concealed towers take many visual forms depending on their location, but function no differently than monopole or latticed mast towers. The tower in this incident was more than 50 feet tall and was constructed to outwardly appear as a three pole church bell tower. The incident tower included a fixed ladder with detachable ladder rungs and no safety climb device.

On the morning of the incident, the first tower climber successfully ascended the tower utilizing a safety harness while double hooking to the tower climb rungs. The plaintiff, who had never previously been to this site, ascended the tower next. He was using his safety harness and, in the absence of a permanent safety climb device, was also double hooking with his pelican hooks to the rungs on the tower similar to the first climber. Before transitioning from the tower climb to the platform, the plaintiff fell to the ground from a height of approximately 50 feet, sustaining serious injuries.

After his fall, a steel detachable rung from the tower climb was discovered near the injured victim at the base of the tower; the rung was not present on the ground at the time the climbers began their ascent.

Incident Investigation

Investigation revealed that the workers were attaching their pelican hooks to detachable rungs, and that no safety climb device was available to be used as a secondary required fall protection. The victim’s fall and associated injuries were caused by the rung’s untimely detachment and lack of safety climb device. This anchorage arrangement did not meet the relevant TIA safety requirements for cellular towers or OSHA standards since the rungs were not mechanically attached or permanently affixed to the tower structure.

By visual observation, it was impossible to determine which rungs were loose and easily detachable versus ones that were snug and difficult to remove. No warnings of this concealed climbing hazard were posted.

Select standards for cellular tower safety

ANSI/TIA-222-G Structural Standard for Antenna Supporting Structures and Antennas - provides the industry standard for the structural design and fabrication of new, and modification of existing, structural antennas, antenna-supporting structures, mounts, structural components such as the tower climb facility, guy assemblies, insulators and foundations. Any installation of new cellular equipment constructed on an existing tower structure requires a complete inspection, confirmation of all materials and sizes, and a thorough structural analysis for their associated loads imposed on the existing tower structure. 

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.268 Telecommunications - This section sets forth safety and fall hazard standards that apply to the work conditions, practices, means, methods, operations, installations and processes performed at telecommunications centers and at telecommunications field installations. 

• Center work includes the installation, operation, maintenance, rearrangement, and removal of communications equipment and other associated equipment in telecommunications.
• Field work includes the installation, operation, maintenance, rearrangement, and removal of conductors and other equipment used for signal or communication service, and of their supporting or containing structures, overhead or underground, on public or private rights of way, including buildings or other structures.

Findings from our Expert Witness Investigation

Following a thorough forensic investigation, our experts concluded that the tower failed to meet industry standards and was unsafe due to its detachable ladder rungs and its lack of a safety climb device.

The hazard of the loose rungs and lack of safety climb device was known and had been previously reported by an independent inspection agency hired by the owner. The owner of the tower knowingly failed to ensure the safety of the tower climbers and violated applicable minimum safety standards for a cellular tower owner, rendering the tower unsafe for ascent or descent.

The owner’s in-house field technicians who routinely inspected the tower also failed in their duties to properly inspect or report the cellular tower deficiencies, given their inspection maintenance procedures.

Consequentially, the owner’s actions were improper and violated applicable standards in failing to permanently attach the ladder rungs to the tower and/or provide a safety climb device.

Case Resolution

The findings of our structural engineer and cell tower expert engineer were critical in the positive outcome of this case for our client. The defendants agreed to a $30 million settlement. Additional information on the settlement is available through wirelessestimator.com.

Forensic Casework Involving Communications Towers

Robson Forensic has the experience and in-house expertise to investigate a broad range of issues involving communications towers. Our experts have investigated cases involving failed or collapsed towers, equipment that has fallen from towers, and also communications worker who have fallen from height.

Call us at 800.813.6736 or submit an inquiry to determine which of our experts is best suited to investigate the technical issues specific to your case.

Featured Expert

Edward J. Zemeck, P.E.

Civil Engineer & Construction Safety Expert

Ed has extensive firsthand experience in the construction and inspection of cellular towers, co-locations, and antenna installations on high-rise buildings and other structures. Mr. Zemeck was previously certified as a Tower and Tower Rescue Climber, has firsthand experience ascending towers to work at height, and managed and oversaw direct hire employees and subcontractors doing all manner of cell tower communication installations.