In an exclusive interview with Inside Towers, the National Association of Tower Erectors expressed their views regarding possible delays of new regulations by OSHA by the in-coming administration.
“NATE has a long history of collaboration with officials from the United States Department of Labor-OSHA and we look forward to continue this working relationship under President-elect Trump’s Administration,” said Executive Director Todd Schlekeway.
A delegation consisting of NATE’s Legislative & Regulatory Committee members recently met with officials from OSHA and the FCC in Washington, D.C. During the meeting, the Association, according to Schlekeway, encouraged the U.S. Department of Labor – OSHA to take the time to review and adopt the new ANSI/ASSE A10.48 and TIA 322 National Consensus Tower Safety Standards in lieu of continuing down its current regulatory path of imposing new regulations on the industry. “These national consensus standards were developed by industry for industry and provide the ultimate road map for the industry and government to follow,” Schlekeway said.
NATE has also indicated that OSHA adoption of the National Tower Safety Consensus Standards addresses the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1996 (NTTAA). In general, the NTTAA states that federal agencies and departments “shall use technical standards developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies if compliance would not be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impracticable; and consult with voluntary, private sector, consensus standards bodies and shall, when such participation is in the public interest and is compatible with agency and departmental missions, authorities, priorities, and budget resources, participate in the development of technical standards.”
In short, outside experts and their opinions on developing new standards is greatly appreciated by the Feds and will be given due consideration.
November 16, 2016
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