Does my insurance cover RF exposure claims from tower maintenance work?

RF exposure claims can arise from two directions: your employees claiming occupational injury from RF exposure, and third parties alleging injury from your work affecting RF emissions. For employee claims, workers compensation would be the primary response if an employee develops health issues attributed to RF exposure during maintenance work near active antennas. WC provides statutory coverage regardless of fault. For third-party claims (for example, alleging your maintenance work caused an antenna to emit non-compliant RF levels affecting nearby residents), your GL would respond as a bodily injury claim. Most specialty tower GL programs do not specifically exclude RF exposure claims, but standard market policies might contain pollution or contamination exclusions that could arguably apply to electromagnetic radiation claims. Confirm with your carrier whether RF exposure is a covered peril under your GL. The defense cost alone for RF exposure litigation can be substantial even if the scientific evidence is ultimately in your favor. FCC OET Bulletin 65 establishes Maximum Permissible Exposure limits, and OSHA references these under its general duty clause. Maintaining documentation of RF safety protocols, worker training, and site-specific RF assessments strengthens your position in any RF-related claim.