Workshop on Tower Climber Safety and Injury Protection
The Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration hosted this workshop to explore issues surrounding tower climber safety, injury prevention, and fatalities involving work on communications towers. The workshop included panel discussions on factors contributing to the high rate of injuries and fatalities and best practices to ensure tower climber safety and prevention of injuries and fatalities. This workshop included a ceremonial signing of the Employment and Training Administration’s Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP).
For additional information about this workshop, please contact Michael Janson, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, (202) 418-0600, Michael.Janson@fcc.gov, and Jim Maddux, Directorate of Construction, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, (202) 693-2020, maddux.jim@dol.gov. For information on the TIRAP apprenticeship program, contact Zachary Boren, Office of Apprenticeship, Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor, (202) 693-3793, Boren.Zachary@dol.gov.
Agenda
Opening Remarks
- Roger C. Sherman, Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, FCC
- David Michaels, PhD, MPH, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health
- Kathy Pierce, Hubble Foundation - Remarks
Panel I: Diagnosing the Problem: Causes of High Fatality and Injury Rates
- Panelists:
- Dave Anthony, Shenandoah Tower Service
- Liz Day, City University of New York (CUNY)
- Bridgette Hester, Hubble Foundation - Presentation
- Wallace Reardon, Workers at Heights Health and Safety Initiative - Presentation
- Moderators:
- Chad Breckinridge, Associate Bureau Chief, WTB, FCC
- Jessica Douma, Regulatory Analyst, OSHA
Panel II: Implementing the Solution: Identifying and Adopting Best Practices
- Panelists:
- Jonathan Campbell, PCIA
- John Johnson, Black & Veatch - UAV Demonstration Video
- Craig Lekutis, WirelessEstimator.com
- Art Pregler, AT&T
- Paul Roberts, American Tower
- Todd Schlekeway, NATE
- Moderators:
- Michael Janson, PhD, Legal Advisor, WTB, FCC
- Jim Maddux, Director, Directorate of Construction, OSHA, DOL
Concluding Remarks
- Scott Kisting, TIRAP Chair
- Jonathan S. Adelstein, President, PCIA, and Former FCC Commissioner
- David Michaels, PhD, MPH, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health
- Hon. Thomas E. Wheeler, Chairman, FCC
- Hon. Thomas E. Perez, Secretary of Labor
TIRAP Signing Ceremony
Related Materials
- Joint Chairman Wheeler/Secretary Perez Blog Post – Safety and Broadband Must Go Hand in Hand
- Letter from Senator Nelson to Chairman Wheeler
- Commissioner Clyburn's Remarks
- PN Announcing Workshop Agenda
- Public Notice Announcing Workshop
- PN Announcing the Signing Ceremony for Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program for Telecommunications Tower Technicians