The Human Cost of Safety

Remarkably, only one death occurred during the tower's construction—a worker who fell while showing off for his girlfriend after official hours, when safety equipment wasn't required. This exceptional record resulted from Eiffel's comprehensive safety measures:

- Movable staging that enclosed workers as they moved upward - Guard rails and screens installed before work began on each section - Safety lines for workers on exposed beams - A canteen on the first platform to provide hot meals, reducing the need for workers to descend for lunch - An on-site infirmary staffed by a doctor and nurse - Strict alcohol prohibition during work hours

These measures cost money and sometimes slowed progress, leading to criticism from financial observers. Eiffel's response was consistent: "I am building a monument to human achievement. I will not dedicate it with human blood."