Media Contact:
Neil Grace, (202) 418-0506
neil.grace@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
JOINT STATEMENT ON COMMUNICATIONS TOWER SAFETY BY FCC 
CHAIRMAN AJIT PAI AND DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF LABOR 
FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH DOROTHY DOUGHERTY
WASHINGTON, June 1, 2017— “As more Americans use mobile devices to call, text and stream 
content, the safety of workers who maintain and construct communications towers is more critical than 
ever.  Every day, communications tower workers face potential hazards that can be deadly if not 
performed safely, and dozens of fatalities have occurred over the past few years.  Every tower climber 
death is preventable.
“Today, the FCC and OSHA are proud to announce the Communications Tower Best Practices Guide.  
The guide is a result of the long-standing commitment of both agencies to ensuring the safety of tower 
workers.  In the spirit of good government and cooperation, our agencies have hosted workshops with 
input from industry stakeholders to identify and establish accepted practices for performing 
communication towers work safely.  The guide is an important step to reduce the tragic number of 
fatalities involved in communications tower work.  We thank the staffs of both agencies for their work 
and look forward to our continued partnership as we continue to meet the demand for mobile broadband.”
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Office of Chairman Ajit Pai: (202) 418-2000
Twitter: @AjitPaiFCC
www.fcc.gov/leadership/ajit-pai
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official 
action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).