The CTIA event in Las Vegas provided an ideal venue for members of the National Wireless Safety Association (NWSA) and the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP). At TIRAP’s board meeting, representatives of 3M provided an update on the company’s recall of its Lad-Saf sleeve.
The Executive Board of the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP) met during the annual CTIA Super Mobility conference this week in Las Vegas as part of the group’s ongoing mission to champion workforce development issues within the U.S.’s telecommunications industry.
Board Chairman Scott Kisting said the board discussed multiple issues facing the telecommunications sector and committed as a group to specific goals, including working toward creating 450 new apprenticeships by the end of 2017, identifying areas of alignment with other industry-related groups, and continuing to define tactics and deliverables for the remainder of 2016 and for 2017.
“TIRAP brings together multiple stakeholders to develop apprenticeship programs that industry members can implement voluntarily in order empower telecommunications professionals through education and on-the-job training,” said Kisting, who serves as Senior Vice President for Risk & Compliance at Sabre/MUTI. “Under the leadership of the Executive Board, TIRAP will continue to lead the telecommunications industry and work to bridge efforts by the industry and the government in the pursuit of safe and productive workplaces for all.”
The board also agreed to continue the group’s work of credentialing positions including: Small Cell Lead and Foreman, DAS Lead and Foreman, Antenna & Line Lead and Foreman, and Tower Construction Lead and Foreman.
Lad-Saf sleeve recall is a key concern of TIRAP
In addition to setting the group’s agenda for the coming months, the board also heard a presentation from representatives of the 3M Fall Protection Business focusing on the company’s recent product recall of the original tower climber Lad-Saf sleeve. After 30 years of use, the fall protection equipment has been replaced by a redesigned Lad-Saf sleeve.
“We are very pleased that 3M was able to attend our meeting this week to discuss the safety stop and recall of the Lad-Saf safety sleeve,” said Beau Aero, President of GME Supply and Member of the Executive Board of TIRAP.
3M has committed to weekly meetings with the TIRAP Executive Board until such time as there are sufficient replacement units to cover the needs of the telecommunications industry. In addition, 3M and TIRAP are working together to clarify the proper installation, inspection and use of safety climb systems.
3M pledged support of the Safety Equipment Manufacturers Committee, whose mission is to provide a consensus document for safety climb systems in the telecommunications industry. Several Members of the Executive Board also extended invitations to 3M to collaborate toward the continuing improvement of products engineered specifically for use on antenna supporting structures.
Meeting arrangements and presentations were managed by Stephanie Brewer, the board’s coordinator. Brewer is the compliance coordinator at Midwest Underground Technology.
Members of the Executive Board include Art Pregler, Director of National Cell Site Programs for AT&T; Beau Aero, President and Founder of GME Supply; Dave Anthony, President and CEO of Shenandoah Tower Service; David Sams, Vice President of Risk Management SBA; James Walker Pontius, Director of Network Operations US Cellular; Jonathan Adelstein, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Wireless Infrastructure Association; Laurie Gebhardt, HQ Director of Network Engineering & Operations Support Verizon Wireless; Kelley Dunne, President and Co-Founder of Warriors 4 Wireless; Paul Roberts, Vice President of Compliance for American Tower Corp.; and Richard Cullum, Manager of Quality Assurance, Engineering and Operations for Crown Castle USA Inc.