The National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) announced last week its research shows a decrease in tower crew-related safety issues and accidents when NWSA trade certified technicians are present on jobsites. Citing reports carried out over two years from an unnamed major tier-one company, the drop in on-the-job accidents was three-to-one when comparing certified to non-certified crews. In 243 audits where TTT-2 credentialed technicians were present, according to NWSA, the data showed there were zero incidents.
“This major safety improvement is the result of countless hours donated by volunteers,” said NWSA Executive Director Duane MacEntee. “This represents the broadest ever consortium of telecommunications industry subject matter experts and executives from over 100 companies. Those efforts are guided through a disciplined process by NWSA’s 31-seat Board of Governors,” MacEntee said, “comprised of a balanced cross-section of industry sectors, who provide oversight and governance for the organization and its programs.”
The NWSA was established in 2013, following a spike in industry-related fatalities with the loss of 14 lives; followed by an additional 10 fatalities in 2014. This sobering news prompted a consortium of safety executives representing wireless carriers, the broadcast industry, tower owners, Original Equipment Manufacturers, and contractors to meet with officials from NATE and Black & Veatch at the Telecommunications Industry Safety Summit in Dallas. After discussing best practice solutions for tower safety, the stakeholders agreed to work for positive change by achieving sustainable safety and quality improvements.
In 2015, NWSA was established as a non-profit independent certification body designed to provide the telecommunications industry with nationally standardized assessments and trade certifications. Using ISO/IEC 17024 Standard, the association accredited its programs through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) National Accreditation Board (ANAB).
The Telecommunications Tower Technician 1 (TTT-1) and Telecommunications Tower Technician 2 (TTT-2) trade certification programs which were launched in late 2016 and became fully accredited by ANAB in June 2020. NWSA has since launched Spanish language versions of the TTT-1 and TTT-2 exams, as well as Antenna & Line Specialty and Foreman certification programs.
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