1) Contractors are required by federal code to have first aid / CPR trained employees on site at all times. Different contractors may address this requirement in varying ways, but someone on site must be trained in these areas at all times, so many companies will ensure that everyone on their crew is trained in CPR and first aid. In a model provided by some of our members, this process includes bringing tower climbers back to their company office, training them, and then sending them back to their job location. Accordingly, this process requires two travel days and one training day. That is three days where employees are paid, but no revenue is being generated by those employees because they are not doing any work. The cost of the training must also be factored into this scenario. Re-certifications are required for both CPR and first aid on a regular basis.

2) For tower climber safety training, again the crew must be brought back from the venue they are working, spend two days in training, then be sent back. Remember under these circumstances that DOT requirements applied to any trucks over one ton in weight, may render what would be a long one-day drive into a two day drive to be in compliance with federal standards. Under these circumstances, some employers may choose to fly their employees back to their company for training which costs more, but saves time. Those individuals on the crew, therefore, miss from four-to-six days of work for a two day training course. Again, the cost of the training must also be factored into the expenses, which include travel, wages, and the loss of revenue from not accomplishing any work while training-and-related-travel is being accomplished. Climbers must go through requisite refresher courses to keep their training current.

3) Having outlined this scenario, I would like to highlight that similar training is necessary for:
• RF Awareness;
• OSHA 10-Hour Training
• OSHA 30-Hour Training;
• Defensive Driving;
• Substance Abuse;
• New Employee Orientation;
• Counter Balance Forklift Training;
• Hoist Operator Training (for lead man and supervisor);
• Cellular Test Equipment Training;
• Connector Certification (from various manufacturers);
• Crane Operator Certification (being required in a growing number of states and metropolitan areas);
• Rigging Training; and
• On-the-job Training (for all aspects of tower work).

4) In looking at training expenses, other costs of business must also be included. These costs could include travel for employees, cost of vehicles, vehicle fuel, cost of equipment (including specialized equipment, such as man-rated-hoists and engineer certified gin poles), cost of equipment inspection and repairs, and the cost of insurance, etc. In the long run, these costs and any additional that are standard operational costs of doing business will push the cost of training to approximately three times the cost of paying the employees and lost revenue.

Companies who do not train their employees in the many areas listed above can dramatically underbid qualified contractors. These contractors may not provide proper equipment, insurance or the other variables that go into the cost of operating as a qualified contractor. Additionally, they may provide a subpar work product, unsafe work environments, require more oversight from management or the service provider (at the expense to those requesting the work), or a greater number of return trips to correct future problems. There is also the possibility of less protection, if an accident should occur. In the event of an on-site accident, an OSHA investigation would need to be performed and any civil litigation that followed would be costly in both money and time. So, would the potential financial savings that result from using a less than qualified contractor be worth it? We, at NATE, do not think so – our work cannot be “all about the money” when it comes to the proper training and safety of our employees!!

I hope this is helpful in defining the extraordinary steps that qualified contractors, such as members of the NATE/OSHA Partnership, take to provide value added services to their customers and clients. It is our belief that, with proper training, our industry can dramatically improve the level of safety we offer our employees and our clients, as well as improve the quality of the work that we deliver.

Until next time – Stay Safe!