What's New With NATE? - Cell Tower News Episode 3

On this episode of Cell Tower News, RCR Wireless News Editor and Production Manager Joey Jackson is joined by Todd Schlekeway, Executive Director of the National Association of Tower Erectors to discuss all the latest developments happening with NATE.

Topics discussed on the show include NATE’s participation in OSHA’s industry-wide request for information, NATE’s new STAR Initiative app, new National Wireless Safety Alliance leadership and drones.

First off, Schlekeway explained what NATE’s participation in OSHA’s industry-wide request for information entailed.

“Everything from what are the challenges elevated workers face, the structural issues, the equipment that’s utilized, environments they’re working in, the timelines that are imposed on the workforce, everything from industry standards that are under development and what NATE’s views are moving forward on the potential regulatory environment,” he said.

He says NATE submitted answers to 34 of the 38 questions asked in the information request.

He added, “We wanted to leave OSHA with the message that the private industry, the major players from carriers to tower owners, large general contractors, the OEMs all the way to the small contractors and the elevated workforce are collaborating better than they ever have and so the industry’s poised moving forward to solve many of these challenges.”

Schlekeway also explained the purpose of the organization’s signature program, the STAR Initiative, which is an acronym for safety, training, accountability and reliability.

“Participating member companies basically commit to submitting a certain percentage of their quarterly audits to NATE’s office and these are very comprehensive tower safety audits that you have to do before work can commence on a tower site and so the program…is at the point now where we’re really receiving tangible data on all the hazards that are being addressed on the front end proactively and you extrapolate that out…they are saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential OSHA citations,” NATE’s head man said about the program.

NATE is set to launch an app in conjunction with the program that will be available for download October 1.

“You’re going to be able to fill out the seven page site safety audit checklist in real time from the site and it’s just tailor-made for a program like this because you’re going to be able to document that.”

Schlekeway also touched on the new leadership recently put into place for the National Wireless Safety Alliance, putting his support behind new chairman Art Pregler who is currently Director of National Cell Site programs for AT&T and vice chairman, Phil Larsen of Hazon Solutions.

“Both of those two will provide steady and solid leadership of the organization during the formative stages of development.”

So now that the leadership is in place, what’s next for the NWSA?

“In October 2015, the NWSA is going to roll out its first few certification programs that will be available in the marketplace…You’ll be able to get an NWSA branded signal person and rigger certification.

In late September, the organization will also be meeting in Dallas, Tex. to work on tower technician training programs, Schlekewey said.

The final topic was drones. Schlekeway addressed the issue, saying while he believes they can be a valuable tool in the toolbox, he doesn’t see them replacing human workers anytime soon.

“Let’s not be under any allusions, regardless of how technology advances, drones aren’t going to replace the sophisticated skills of the workers right now.”

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