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Electrical transmission rules and communication towers

Summary A steel erector asked whether the construction rules for electric power transmission and distribution applied to radio, television, and communication towers. OSHA said those rules did not cover such towers; it pointed instead to the construction safety-net rule then applicable to the fall hazard and to other relevant construction provisions.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1995-11-02-2
Date issued
November 2, 1995
Status
Active
Status last verified October 9, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1926 Fall Protection Telecommunications
Source
View the official document

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About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

November 2, 1995

Mr. W. C. Byers
Board Chairman
National Steel Erectors Corporation
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Byers:

This letter is in response to your letter in which you requested an interpretation on the applicability of Subpart V, Power Transmission to radio, TV, and communication type Towers.

Although your company may perform operations similar to those described in Subpart V, the subpart does not apply to the erection or alteration of radio, television, or communication towers. As specified in paragraph 1926.950(a), the paragraphs you reference in this subpart are intended to be the requirements only during the construction of electric transmission and distribution lines and equipment. Consequently, there are no specific assembly provisions, including those you list and those of Subpart R, that apply to communication towers.

Since your company is not engaged in the construction of electric transmission and distribution lines and equipment, you would have to comply with the requirements of 1926.105, Safety Nets, for fall protection concerns. Of course, other hazards associated with tower construction are covered by other subparts of 29 CFR 1926.

If you have any further questions on this matter, please contact Mr. Roy Gurnham or Mr. Dale Cavanaugh of my staff in the Offices of Construction and Maritime Compliance Assistance at (202) 219-8136.

Sincerely,
John B. Miles, Jr.
Director
Directorate of Compliance Programs

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