As global demand for wireless connectivity surges, the need for workers to build, inspect, and maintain communication towers has grown exponentially. Yet this critical role carries substantial risks than other construction professionals.

To reduce these dangers, here are five essential safety suggestions:

1. Comprehensive and Ongoing Training

All tower climber staff must complete certified safety training programs that cover core competencies, including fall protection systems, hazard identification, emergency response procedures, and proper climbing techniques. The training is not a one-time requirement—both new hires and seasoned workers need regular refresher courses to stay updated on evolving safety standards, equipment innovations, and industry best practices.

2. Use Reflective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment is non-negotiable for tower workers. Required gear includes: impact-resistant helmets, slip-resistant work gloves, full-body safety harnesses, durable lifelines, shock-absorbing lanyards, and high-visibility clothing to enhance visibility for ground teams and nearby personnel. Before every shift, workers must inspect all PPE for signs of wear, damage, or malfunction—damaged equipment must never be used, and replacements should be readily available to avoid delays.

3.  Prevent Falls

Falls remain the leading cause of fatalities in tower work, making proactive prevention critical.

Workers must be securely anchored to a certified anchorage point at all times when climbing or working at height—no exceptions, even for short tasks.

When ascending or descending the tower, maintain contact with the structure using three points of support to minimize balance risks.

4.  Watch the Weather

Communication towers can reach heights of 2,000 feet or more, where weather conditions often differ drastically from ground level and change rapidly. Work should be paused or rescheduled during rain, snow, ice, or high winds, as these conditions can make surfaces slippery, compromise tower stability, or increase the risk of equipment failure.

5.  Reduce Radio Frequency Radiation.

RF radiation from tower antennas is a lesser-known but significant hazard. To protect workers:

Whenever possible, shut down RF emitters or reduce their output to safe levels before beginning work near antennas.

Provide workers with personal RF monitoring devices to track real-time exposure levels, and establish clear thresholds for when work must be paused to avoid overexposure.

Train teams to identify antenna locations and maintain safe distances when emitters cannot be deactivated.