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NATE Nashville conference expected to see excellent attendance February 12-15
January 12, 2007 -- The National Association of Tower Erectors' annual confab scheduled for February 12-15 is expected to be one of the best ever, according NATE administrators.
The conference and exhibition has grown in size and scope and is one of the must attend events every year for many key industry professionals in the tower construction, service and maintenance industry.
Attendance is expected to beat last year's numbers and visitors will enjoy the excellent offerings from many exhibitors that will be at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, TN.
Registration must now be made on site. Full conference passes are $199 for NATE members and $499 for non-members.
The event will have two tracks of focused education sessions for tower hands and management.
Ninety-five exhibitors will be showcasing new products, services and technology on Wednesday, February 14, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thursday, February 15, 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Event sponsors include - Gold: AIG/Arthur J. Gallagher, Andrew Corporation; Silver: Alliance Corporation, Glen Martin Engineering, Sabre Communications Corporation, TESSCO Technologies; Bronze: Connect-It Wireless Components, KCI Wireless Services, Primus Electronics, TriCon/TowerWerks, Inc.; Patron: AFL Network Services, Great Plains Towers, Inc., Hutton Communications, Inc., Midwest Underground Technology, Inc., SITE PRO 1, Southern Broadcast Services, Tower Systems, Inc.,TWR Lighting, Inc.; Friends of NATE: Cellxion, Cipov Enterprises, Inc., EasTex Tower, Inc., Talley Communications, Trylon TSF, Valmont Structures, WSI Lighting.
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Tower Hand Track
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EDUCATIONAL SESSION 1
OSHA 10-Hour Training Course
Rob Medlock & Jocko Vermillion
U.S. DOL – OSHA
Monday, February 12 • 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Governors’ C
NATE member companies that are NATE/OSHA Partners are required to provide all non-supervisory personnel engaged in construction activities with the OSHA 10-Hour Training Course or its equivalent within the first year of the agreement.
Any NATE member who is registered for the NATE 2007 Conference & Exposition will have the opportunity to attend the OSHA 10-Hour Training Course free of charge.
OSHA and NATE will present the OSHA 10-Hour Training Course on Monday, February 12, in conjunction with the NATE 2007 Conference & Exposition. Class size for the course is limited to 100 people, and is available on a first-come first-serve basis (limit of 5 persons per company).
If you are not currently registered for the NATE 2007 Conference & Exposition and would like to do so, please complete and return the NATE 2007 Registration Form or visit www.natehome.com to register.
To register for the course, please visit the NATE website and fill out the form and send it to NATE Administrative Assistant Corene Iverson at the NATE office via fax: 605-886-5184. The deadline to register for the OSHA 10-Hour Training Course is Tuesday, January 9, 2007.
Further details relating to the course will be relayed to those registered after the
registration deadline.
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EDUCATIONAL SESSION 3
FCC’s Rules and Licensee Requirements Regarding RF Safety to Tower Climbers
Jerry Ulcek
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Tuesday, February 13 • 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Governors’ C
Jerry Ulcek is an Electronics Engineer with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Enforcement Bureau and currently resides out of the Tampa, Florida Field Office.
Jerry began with the FCC in 1991 in the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET), where he assisted in the development of the FCC’s current radio frequency radiation (RFR) Rules; co-authored OET Bulletin No. 65 along with its accompanying supplements, and worked on refining the RFR measurement techniques and licensee compliance requirements.
He transferred to the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau in 2000 and began inspecting and issuing the first fines for non-compliance with the FCC’s RFR limits, and training other FCC Agents on conducting RFR measurements and inspections.
Jerry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering Technology with a specialty in communications and antenna theory from the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Since the adoption and implementation of the updated FCC RFR regulations in 1996, many questions have been raised regarding compliance and licensee requirements.
The FCC’s Rules and Licensee Requirements Regarding RF Safety to Tower Climbers session will cover FCC RFR limits, determining compliance with FCC limits, FCC licensee requirements, tower erector/climber responsibilities and RF mitigating
techniques, and investigating complaints of non-compliance with FCC limits and requirements.
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EDUCATIONAL SESSION 5
Rooftop Installation Pitfalls
Shane Muncy
A6 Solutions
Tuesday, February 13 • 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Governors’ C
Shane Muncy is the Owner of A6 Solutions, LLC of Louisville, Kentucky. A6 Solutions, LLC provides consulting services for building envelope technologies, specifically roofing components.
In addition, they market and manufacture custom structural steel components to various organizations in the wireless telecommunications industry ranging from small construction firms to Fortune 500 companies. Shane has been involved with roof and structural steel related industries for over 13 years.
Prior to becoming involved with support solutions for the wireless and roofing industries, he was a Project Manager and Safety Director for the fifth largest roofing contractor in the U.S. where he established and monitored production levels of crews; inspected all jobs for quality and adherence of construction details; inspected job sites for OSHA safety compliances; met with prospective and existing clients to review their construction needs; and wrote evaluations and scopes of work for various commercial and industrial roofing projects.
The Rooftop Installation Pitfalls session will review a range of topics related to the construction of a rooftop cell site including types of roof systems and maintaining their integrity, improper design of details, roof warranties and liability exposure, and fall protection.
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EDUCATIONAL SESSION 7
Tower Failures: The Unseen Problems
Craig Snyder,Todd Thorin, Matthew Arps
AnchorGuard/Sioux Falls Tower & Communications
Tuesday, February 13 • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Governors’ C
A combined total of 47 years of experience make this speaking trio an experience to remember. As the former Chairman of  ANSI/TIA, former Chairman of NATE and current owner of Sioux Falls Tower & Communications, Craig Snyder brings a level of expertise unequivocally matched in the industry.
Former Chairman of the NATE Safety & Education Committee and the Director of Safety and Training at Sioux Falls Tower & Communications for over 10 years, Todd Thorin offers additional support to this important discussion. 
Matthew Arps, acting General Manager of AnchorGuard, has seen the alarming number of tower failures continue to rise and offers some insight into the misunderstood world of the underground.
Towers are inspected in order to reveal conditions that could cause failures or other problems. Unfortunately a wide variety of inspection methodologies exist, and because of such the number of tower failures continues to rise.
The Tower Failures: The Unseen Problems presentation will discuss some of the causes of tower failure while offering its audience insight on what to look for, what to do upon discovery and how to better serve the tower owner with appropriate recommendations. Combining proper inspection procedures that follow the ANSI/TIA standard and useful tools, this presentation will use a collection of video and photo images showing useful ideas to prevent the premature demise of these important structures.
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EDUCATIONAL SESSION 9
Field Procedures for an Accurate Inspection and Mapping
Simon Weisman
Weisman Consultants, Inc.
Tuesday, February 13 • 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Governors’ C
Simon Weisman, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., President of Weisman Consultants Inc., developed the accurate method for alignment checking that allows the calculation of both deflection and twist from one set of simple deflection measurements as well as the INSPECTOWER software to facilitate quick calculations of these and turnbuckle adjustments required.
Simon has over 30 years of experience in tower engineering and trains engineers
and technicians in inspection methods. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, where he is currently Chairman of the Telecommunications Facilities
Committee.
Everyone who inspects or maps towers wishes to, and believes that he does, bring back accurate and useable results. These will include observations, photographs to illustrate the situation at the site, and field measured data for location of tower and anchors, alignment and verticality, and guy tensions. It is important that we periodically review these methods.
A number of ways of taking field measurements are being used. The Field Procedures for an Accurate Inspection and Mapping presentation will discuss the various methods of measurement, their background and how they work, and how engineers will use them. |
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EDUCATIONAL SESSION 11
Do’s and Don’ts of Riding the Line
Don Doty
Doty Moore Tower Services LLC
Kevin Hayden
Hayden Tower Service, Inc.
Rob Medlock
U.S. DOL – OSHA
Craig Snyder
Sioux Falls Tower & Communications
Wednesday, February 14 • 8:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Governors’ C
The Do’s and Don’ts of Riding the Line session will provide individuals from among the industry’s finest forum to discuss their years of experience in riding the line, including what has caused accidents and injuries, what has worked and what has not.
The discussion will include an exchange of ideas, concerns, and a sharing of strides in the industry. The session will also explore the impact of the Riding the Line Directive, including the history, purpose and benefits.
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EDUCATIONAL SESSION 13
How Crane Accidents Happen and What Steps Can
Be Taken to Prevent Them
Tony Dotto
Crane Technical Training & Inspection, Inc.
Thursday, February 15 • 8:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Governors’ C
Tony Dotto is the Director of Technical Services for Crane Technical Training & Inspection, Inc. (Crane Tech) of Tampa, Florida. Prior to joining Crane Tech, Tony applied 23 years of equipment experience to design and deliver a wide range of material handling services.
He also served as Senior Training Director for Canadian National Railway’s heavy equipment division, while earning his Hoisting Engineers license.
Tony is an OSHA recognized instructor, an equipment inspector, and has provided presentations at conventions, symposiums and joint management/union safety meetings for many years. He is a regular guest lecturer for Georgia Tech’s OSHA Outreach programs, and many of his writings are published each year in trade and industry periodicals.
Who is operating your cranes and how are they operating them? Crane accidents are unwanted, but they continue to occur and every crane accident is preventable. Prevention requires education, compliance, breaking old habits, and constant reminders on crane safety. The How Crane Accidents Happen and What Steps
Can Be Done to Prevent Them session will provide an in-depth look into crane dynamics and the requirements to operate within the specifications of your cranes.
Ground conditions near tower erection locations may not provide a hard rock surface; learn how to ensure your crane will not sink into the ground.
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Management Track
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EDUCATIONAL SESSION 2
Powerful Leadership Practices for Today’s
Business Environment
Thomas L. Hudgin
Wilmington Quality Associates
Tuesday, February 13 • 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Governors’ D
Thomas L. Hudgin is the President of Wilmington Quality Associates of Wilmington, North Carolina. Prior to forming Wilmington Quality Associates in 1991, Thomas worked in the senior management in the pharmaceutical industry for 30 years.
With a Bachelor’s Degrees in chemistry and mathematics and an MBA in marketing, Thomas specializes in business management success training with a focus on helping companies improve their performance by teaching more effective leadership skills, improving company image, being more competitive, having highly motivated employees, and creating delighted customers.
He has written several books, is a licensed pilot, a retired Commander in the US Navy, and has sailed a 38-foot ketch across the Atlantic to Europe.
The Powerful Leadership Practices For Today's Business Environment presentation will review topics on how to build trust and respect with your employees by being a great coach. The topics will include how to influence others, the right attitudes, creating fear-free relationships, ways to help people be a master at something, challenges for today's leaders, what it takes to be a great leader, mistakes to avoid, four leadership styles that work, factors that matter most to employees, dealing with poor performers, and adding value to people.
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EDUCATIONAL SESSION 4
Liability of Supervisors for Workplace Harassment,
Discrimination and Retaliation
Mark A. Lies, II
Seyfarth Shaw
Tuesday, February 13 • 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Governors’ D
Mark A. Lies, II is a labor and employment attorney and partner with the law firm of Seyfarth Shaw, located in Chicago, Illinois.
Mark specializes in occupational safety and health law, as well as related employment law and accident litigation. He represents management in defense of OSHA enforcement actions and in responding to OSHA inspections, and he practices on a
nationwide basis.
Mark is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (1968) and DePaul University Law School (1974). He is a Vietnam veteran with the U.S. Navy.
Along with providing legal counsel for the National Association of Tower Erectors and its members, Mark submits monthly articles for Tower Times addressing a variety of legal issues affecting NATE member companies. He is also a frequent contributor to WirelessEstimator.com.
The Liability of Supervisors for Workplace Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation session could be an eye opener for supervisors on potential personal liability for violating employment laws or allowing their employees to violate them.
There have been jury verdicts in the hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars. Being sued for harassment by another employee (harassment can include sexual, racial, religious, disability, age, sexual orientation) can be devastating to the supervisor's marriage, family, career and financial resources. This session covers
what constitutes harassment, discrimination and retaliation, how to avoid it and how to investigate it and deal with federal and state agencies.
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EDUCATIONAL SESSION 6
The Supervisor’s Role in Accident Investigation
Steve Wilder
Communications Industry Training and Certification Academy (CITCA)
Tuesday, February 13 • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Governors’ D
Steve Wilder is Vice President of Training and Development for the Communications Industry Training and Certification Academy (CITCA), in Bradley, Illinois. Steve has been involved in safety management for over twenty years and has worked with client companies across the United States. In addition, he has worked with insurance companies and law firms in accident investigations and legal analysis. Steve is a member of the NATE Safety & Education Committee.
The Supervisor’s Role in Accident Investigation presentation will review the importance of conducting a thorough investigation of all job-related accidents as a tool in the company’s overall safety management program. Session content will include reasons for investigating accidents, classifying accidents, outcomes of accidents,
accident causes and contributory factors, basic and root causes, investigation strategies, and benefits and results that can be expected as a result of a thorough accident investigation.
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EDUCATIONAL SESSION 8
Dealing With the Hostile Employee -- Get Out of My Face
Mark A. Lies, II
Seyfarth Shaw
Tuesday, February 13 • 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Governors’ D
Mark A. Lies, II is a labor and employment attorney and partner with the law firm of Seyfarth Shaw, located in Chicago, Illinois. Mark specializes in occupational safety and health law, as well as related employment law and accident litigation. He represents management in defense of OSHA enforcement actions and in responding to OSHA inspections, and he practices on a nationwide basis.
Mark is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (1968) and DePaul University Law School (1974). He is a Vietnam veteran with the U.S. Navy.
Along with providing legal counsel for the National Association of Tower Erectors and its members, Mark submits monthly articles for Tower Times addressing a variety of legal issues affecting NATE member companies. He is also a frequent contributor to WirelessEstimator.com.
The Dealing With the Hostile Employee -- Get Out of My Face session will cover all aspects of workplace violence, how to anticipate it, preplanning, how to respond to it when it occurs and how to minimize the potential for injury to individuals and to the workplace. The session will include dealing with bomb threats and potential terrorist threat actions. |
EDUCATIONAL SESSION 10
Building High Spirited Teams
Thomas L. Hudgin
Wilmington Quality Associates
Wednesday, February 14 • 8:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Governors’ D
Thomas L. Hudgin is the President of Wilmington Quality Associates of Wilmington, North Carolina. Prior to forming Wilmington Quality Associates in 1991, Thomas worked in the senior management in the pharmaceutical industry for 30 years.
With a Bachelor’s Degrees in chemistry and mathematics and an MBA in marketing, Thomas specializes in business management success training with a focus on helping companies improve their performance by teaching more effective leadership skills, improving company image, being more competitive, having highly motivated
employees, and creating delighted customers.
He has written several books, is a licensed pilot, a retired Commander in the US Navy, and has sailed a 38-foot ketch across the Atlantic to Europe.
The Building High Spirited Teams session will focus on the advantages of working as a team, team challenges, attitude adjustments, ways to develop a group into a high spirited team, rules for effective team meetings, making diversity work for you, dealing with people's mistakes, improving the team's productivity, striving for high performance, supporting the team effort, and creating a can-do approach.
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EDUCATIONAL SESSION 12
Preparation of Site Safety Plans
Steve Wilder
Communications Industry Training and Certification Academy (CITCA)
Thursday, February 15 • 8:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Governors’ D
Steve Wilder is Vice President of Training and Development for the Communications Industry Training and Certification Academy (CITCA), in Bradley, Illinois. Steve has been involved in safety management for over twenty years and has worked with client companies across the United States.
In addition, he has worked with insurance companies and law firms in accident investigations and legal analysis. Steve is a member of the NATE Safety & Education Committee.
The site safety plan is one of the most useful safety and risk management tools available to tower erection companies. When properly executed, the site safety plan allows the tower erector to assure that all steps are being taken to maximize safety for crew members at a tower site, and to verify that all local, state, and federal regulations are being met.
The Preparation of Site Safety Plans session will review the preparation of the site safety plan, including prework checklists, documentation issues, and integration of site safety plans into a company’s overall safety management program.
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