NATE Launches First-of-its-Kind Hazard Recognition Guide

This program will provide guidance to project managers, site superintendents and any other responsible personnel on a tower site to recognize hazardous situations. NATE launched the program at NATE 2010, its annual trade show being held in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

NATE teamed with cellular carriers SBA Communications Corp. and Cellular South and one of the nation’s leading owners and operators of wireless infrastructure to develop the content for the guide. The association also leveraged its repository of tower safety standards and safety resources to ensure the Hazard Recognition Guide provides personnel with the information required to empower everyone on a broadcast or communications tower site with the knowledge of safe operating procedures.

“Every responsible person on a tower site should have a working knowledge of safe operating procedures and be able to recognize hazardous situations,” said Jim Coleman, chairman of NATE’s Board of Directors. “The employees of cellular, broadcast and other contractors have a role to play in the safety of the tower technicians working on and around the tower. The Hazard Recognition Guide provides them a resource to help them play that important role.”

The guide is designed to empower on-site employees of tower owners, carriers, broadcasters and general contractors to recognize hazards on broadcast and communications tower sites and take steps to alleviate those situations quickly and effectively. The hazard guide also provides personnel with additional resources – such as OSHA guidelines – where further information about specific topics can be gathered.

“Improving safety in the tower industry should be paramount for tower companies, wireless companies, broadcasters, owners and operators,” said David Sams, director of Risk Management for SBA Communications. “This guide is another way we are developing a culture of safety and ensuring that everyone goes home safely each night.”

As part of its mission to increase safety on all broadcast and communications tower sites, NATE is offering the guide free to anyone in the industry, not just NATE members. For more information on the NATE Tower Site Hazard Recognition Guide or other tower-safety resources, visit http://www.natehome.com or http://www.hazardrecognition.com.