OSHA, FCC, NATE Holding Tower Climbing Workshop Oct. 14
The workshop will consist of two panel discussions -- the first titled "Diagnosing the Problem: Causes of High Fatality and Injury Rates" and the second titled "Implementing the Solution: Identifying and Adapting Best Practices."
Representatives of the U.S. Department of Labor and OSHA, the Federal Communications Commission, AT&T, and the National Association of Tower Erectors will participate in an Oct. 14 workshop on the topic of preventing worker fatalities in the telecommunications industry. This event at FCC headquarters in Washington, D.C., will be webcast by that agency and will be followed by a signing ceremony where U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez and FCC Chairman Thomas Wheeler will speak before launching the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program. "This apprenticeship program was spearheaded by the telecommunications industry, with the advice and assistance from the Department of Labor, and will provide high-quality training for telecommunication tower technicians. It also created a replicable and adaptable training model that telecommunications companies can use to improve quality, worker safety, and reduce fatalities and injuries," DOL's news release stated.
Thus far in 2014, 11 workers have died during construction or repair of cell towers; 13 died in 2013, according to OSHA.
The events will begin at 9 a.m. EDT.
The workshop will be led by OSHA. Free and open to the public, it will consist of two panel discussions -- the first titled "Diagnosing the Problem: Causes of High Fatality and Injury Rates" and the second titled "Implementing the Solution: Identifying and Adapting Best Practices." Questions for panelists may be emailed either before or during the workshop to [email protected]
The FCC webcast will be available at http://www.fcc.gov/live.
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