NATE Releases Updated Tower Safety Resource

WATERTOWN, S.D., Nov. 30, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE), the unified voice for the tower erection, service and maintenance industry, today released the fourth edition of its Accident Prevention, Safety and Health Program Guide. This resource provides valuable and relevant safety information to tower erectors, allowing NATE members to continue raising the bar for industry safety as qualified contractors.

Developed in 1995, the NATE Accident Prevention, Safety and Health Program Guide is the benchmark safety program for the tower erection service and maintenance industry, designed for use by tower erectors to enhance their own company safety program. The Guide contains suggested formats and procedures for fall prevention, hazard identification and tower access, and samples of a climber exam, evaluation form and much more. Updated regularly to ensure all referenced industry standards and OSHA regulations are current, this new version includes revisions based on the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) updated fall protection standard and a number of OSHA regulations that have been revised.  

"Our company has been using the NATE Accident Prevention, Safety and Health Program Guide almost since the day we joined NATE over 10 years ago," said Jim Tracy, President of Legacy Telecommunications, Inc., a NATE member company. "The Guide has been indispensible in demonstrating the necessary components of a health and safety program, both in keeping my employees safe, and in making sure we are aware of and following applicable regulations."

The fourth edition of the NATE Accident Prevention, Safety and Health Program Guide includes the addition of:

• Hazard Identification – Definition, identification of methods to identify hazards, analyze hazards and develop solutions, and a new Job Hazard Analysis form;
• Competent Climber Requirements – References to the new ANSI Z359 group of standards;
• Hazard Communication Standard – "Sample Program" and reference/resources list;
• 6RF Exposure – "Frequently Added Questions" and a resource list; and
• Emergency Response – "Emergency Action Plan" section as required by OSHA.

"The NATE Accident Prevention, Health and Safety Program Guide is an outstanding example of what all associations should be doing for their members," said Mark Lies, partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP. "NATE members should utilize this resource for guidance on how to assemble an effective safety and health program for protecting employees, developing best practices and staying in compliance with federal regulations."

"As the leader in safety for the tower erection, maintenance and service industry, it's critical for NATE to keep its members informed of the ever-changing requirements and regulations," said Jim Coleman, NATE Chairman of the Board of Directors. "Times change, processes change and standards and law change. Training is an ongoing process that is never complete. NATE updates the Accident Prevention, Safety and Health Program Guide as needed to ensure it remains a valuable resource for improving tower climber safety throughout the industry."

Tower owners, carriers and general contractors can also find great value in knowing the far-reaching range and impact such a powerful safety and health program can provide for their subcontractors.

For more information on the NATE Accident Prevention, Safety and Health Program Guide or other tower safety resources, please visit www.natehome.com.  

About The National Association of Tower Erectors

The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) is a non-profit trade association providing a unified voice for tower erection, service and maintenance companies. NATE is headquartered in Watertown, South Dakota with a staff of six people who administer the day-to-day operation of the Association. As a member driven association, NATE is directed by its Board of Directors and committees. These individuals come from all types and sizes of companies located throughout the United States. Today the Association boasts over 600 member companies located throughout the United States, Bahamas, Canada, Jamaica, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden and Trinidad and continues to grow. For additional information on NATE, please visit www.natehome.com.

SOURCE National Association of Tower Erectors