Every day Pennsylvania employees head to work to earn a living and provide for their families. Expecting their employers to keep the workplace safe, regardless of where the worksite is physically located, can be taken for granted by workers. The safety of television and cell towers are no exception. Should a workplace injury happen, the Pennsylvania workers’ compensation program is in place to help employees.
Authorities received a call to respond to a tower collapse around 10 a.m. The almost 2000-foot public television broadcast tower, located in another state, fell. One man was killed and several others were hurt. The cause of the collapse is still under investigation.
The workers involved in the unfortunate accident were performing maintenance about 105 feet up on the tower. One worker, a 56-year-old, was killed in the collapse when he became trapped in the twisted metal. The five other climbers suffered injuries that were not thought to be life-threatening.
A tower collapse is rare, but the safety of the tower was and remains the responsibility of the owners of the tower. The employees who were injured may need time to heal from the injuries they suffered, leaving them unable to work and collect a paycheck. The climber who lost his life likely left behind a family who now has lost not only their loved one, but that income as well. Pennsylvania residents who find themselves unable to work due to an on-the-job injury can seek the assistance of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney for help with the claims process.
Source: news-leader.com, “Tower collapse near Fordland, 1 dead, official says“, Harrison Keegan, Giacomo Bologna, April 19, 2018