Integrating Safety Measures into Technology
Most people in America understand that wireless technology is a necessity of life. We rely on it for internet in our homes and phone service for work, education, household management convenience and entertainment. To get that wireless technology, though, requires towers to be built and repaired across the country. And tower work is dangerous work.
Because the work is dangerous, many workers suffer injuries, some fatal, while working on communications towers each year. It is significant and noteworthy when a company takes safety so seriously that they are recognized as a leader in their industry in occupational safety and health – companies like Black & Veatch.
OSHA recently approved the Black & Veatch office in Paramus, New Jersey as a member of its Voluntary Protection Program. Because the members of this office work at different job sites throughout the region, this VPP certification is for mobile workforce participation.
The VPP recognizes employers who have proven that they take workplace safety and health seriously and work to protect workers on the job. Black & Veatch has shown their commitment to protecting the health and lives of their workers.
“Black & Veatch is the first company in their industry to achieve VPP Star. Their accomplishment shows that a comprehensive safety and health program is essential in all businesses, and critical in high-risk industries,” said Richard Mendelson, OSHA regional administrator. “An effective program can be implemented in the most challenging workplaces when worker safety and health is a core value of the company.”
Black & Veatch is a member of NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association. OSHA renewed a partnership with NATE and the Federal Communications Commission in December 2023 to protect communications tower erection workers.
“We recognize hazards that tower workers face, especially as the increasing demand for wireless communication technology intensifies the need to repair and construct telecommunication towers,” said Jim Frederick, deputy assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health, in announcing that partnership renewal. “Our renewed partnership confirms our continued commitment to shifting practices and ensuring that controls are in place so that workers finish their shift safely throughout this industry.”
VPP approval and certification requires an employer to submit an application to OSHA. If the application is accepted, then OSHA officials visit the work sites to view and validate the locations as safe for workers. After the site visits, the application and site visit reports are reviewed by OSHA regional and national officials and formally approved by the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. Black & Veatch submitted their VPP application to the OSHA regional office during the COVID-19 pandemic. The site visit was completed on September 1, 2023 and Black & Veatch was notified that their application was approved on February 5, 2024.
“Your ongoing efforts to improve your safety and health management programs and your longstanding commitment to VPP are an inspiration to us all,” said Doug Parker, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. “You serve as a model of excellence in our national effort to strengthen employee safety and health.”
The OSHA VPP is a free service that is available to employers. According to OSHA’s VPP statistics from December 2023, there are approximately 1,900 VPP sites across the country. The program gives employers the opportunity to have third-party verification of the effectiveness of their safety and health management systems.
