OSHA fatalities, safety report available on web
Big changes in OSHA’s transparency and reporting are underway. For a variety of reasons, people want access to all of the reported job site fatalities and injuries at work sites. You could find this previously by combing through OSHA’s extensive archives and individual press releases and statements. Starting right now, you can view all of the reports of fatalities all together in one easy-to-read report. There’s one for the fiscal year of 2014, as well as an aggregate report of the archives from 2009-2013. You can download them in a variety of formats, such as PDF, Excel spreadsheets, and for those really technically inclined, a .csv file.
OSHA’s effort to inform the public doesn’t stop there, however. Starting January 2015, employers will now be required to report a more types of injuries. Previously, companies were only required to report “catastrophes,” or incidences that resulted in at least three or more hospitalizations … three! Now these same employers will be required to notify the government within 24 hours every time someone loses an eye, suffers an amputation, or gets admitted to the hospital with an injury sustained while on the job. Once reported, it will then be available for everyone to access online at the site previously linked to. OSHA is hoping this move will shame companies into better safety practices so they don’t end up on the naughty list that everyone can throw in their faces. This is certainly one time that a move for increased reporting isn’t a case of big government interference, but instead an effort to look out for workers and keep them safe.
It’s just a shame that it takes making this information public and easily accessible to motivate companies to hold their employees’ safety in higher regard.
Verizon tower sales likelihood increases
Last week it was reported that Verizon is considering divesting its towers, possibly with Crown Castle in mind. Now this possibility looks even more likely with Verizon having hired the same investment bank that helped AT&T and T-Mobile sell their towers, TAP Advisors. The two companies also have their own history together, as two of TAP’s founding partners worked with Verizon previously. This would be serious cash for Verizon, since the 12,000 towers it intends to sell would have an estimated combined value of $6B.
Help a tower climber in need
It seems in the news that a story stops the moment it’s over. However, for the climbers that fall and survive, that’s only the beginning of the story — one that’s usually a long and hard journey to reach any sort of return to normalcy. Tommy Jeglum, who fell last year, is suffering from brain trauma. Recovery for injury this severe requires time, patience, and a nigh-inconceivable amount of money. Thankfully, there’s a way you can help this fallen climber on his road to recovery and get a cool t-shirt at the same time. According to Facebook page dedicated to helping him:
“In honor of Tommy Jeglum who was critically injured in a fall last year. Midwest Unlimited is offering a dedication shirt to all of our fallen brothers. Tommy fell 50′ from a tower and is suffering from a severe traumatic brain injury. All proceeds from this shirt will go to benefit Tommy in his recovery as Midwest Unlimited is not looking to profit from this shirt. Pre-order your shirt today. We will be taking orders until 9-30-14. Call or email to place an order. Sizes available will be Small to 3X-Large. $24.95 each”
Click here to visit the website, grab a shirt and help this fallen climber!
Take a tour of the Safety One training facility
Tower news quickies
- How to become a tower climber: experience, training, equipment
- Effective date of (most) revised tower rules set by FCC
- CITCA – the Communications Industry Training and Certification Academy adds new Indiana area-location
- U.S. spent $6.5M on unused broadcast towers in Afghanistan
- Product Safety Notice: Ladder safety systems using 3/8 inch 7×19 strand galvanized cable
- Eaton acquires 3,500 African towers from Airtel
- Everything we know about the mysterious fake cell towers across US that could be tapping your phone
- Tower Rescue Training with Passion: interview with Todd Horning
Regional / local tower news
- With 3 lawsuits pending, Penn Valley, CA cell tower awaits flip of switch
- Davenport, IA city council approves Fejervary Park cell tower
- Safety concerns stall YMCA cell tower bid in Northbrook, IL
- Alternate South Park, PA cell tower site was rejected
- Some Shaler, PA residents opposed to proposed cell tower
- Cell tower could help fund new park’s maintenance in Liberty Township, OH
- New coalition resists cell towers at schools in Maryland
- Trustees in Shelby, MI deny company’s request to construct cell tower
- Cell tower permit for Chester Park tabled again in Duluth, MN
- Glastonbury, CT council relents, sets public hearing on cell tower plan
- AT&T appeals cell phone tower decision in Albuquerque, NM
- Falmouth, ME cell tower focus returns to Town Hall
- Road assessments ordered, cell tower authorized in Mahtomedi, MN
- Fire Commissioners: Cell tower permitting process starts on Shelter Island, NY
- Cell tower proposed at Chubbuck, ID school
This week’s edition of cell tower industry news is brought to you by Towercrews.net.
Featured image of Tommy Jeglum, courtesy of the Go Team Tommy Facebook Campaign
Table of Contents
