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Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I join the Partnership?
Complete and sign the application/agreement form found on this website. Send the completed form with the appropriate OSHA logs to the NATE office. NATE will review the application and forward them to OSHA for final approval. To download forms click here Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
What are the benefits of the Partnership?
A few of the benefits include:
· OSHA inspections will be limited to the items found on the Telecommunications and Broadcast Tower Inspection Checklist*;
· Partners receive a 10% reduction in penalties beyond the reductions outlined in the Field Inspection Reference Manual, where applicable;
· OSHA will not issue citations for other-than-serious violations when violations are immediately abated;
· Priority consideration for compliance assistance and off-site technical assistance; and
· Both NATE and OSHA will provide recognition of those companies who are participating in the program.
* Note – Partnering companies must adhere to the Telecommunications and Broadcast Tower Inspection Checklist. If any item on that checklist is not being followed, then OSHA compliance officers can expand the inspection at their discretion.
How will I know that our company has been accepted?
Upon approval of applications from OSHA, the NATE office will send a letter of acceptance or denial.
Will I have any formal document showing I am a National Partner?
Certificates signed by the Director of OSHA and the NATE Chairman will be sent to each company accepted into the Partnership.
How will our company employees working on a site be able to show that we are Partners?
National Partnership I.D. cards will be sent to all companies accepted into the Partnership, to be distributed to employees that work on tower sites. These I.D. cards are similar in size to a credit card. Companies must indicate on the application form how many cards they require.
Is the National Partnership the same as the Region V Partnership?
In most ways the programs are similar. There are a number of additional benefits in the National Partnership; chief among them is the reduction of the number of site safety audits required to reduce the burden on companies who complete a large number of projects each quarter.
What is the difference between a Federal OSHA state and a State Plan state?
Nearly half of the states in the United States use Federal OSHA as their default rules and regulations. The remaining states use what is referred to as state-run state plans. Those states have adopted their own rules regarding specific regulations. For example, Virginia has numerous mining operations and has devoted significant resources to specific rules for that industry. One common attribute is that state plans must use the Federal OSHA rules as a minimum.
What if the state I work in is a state plan? Will they acknowledge my participation in the National Partnership?
Federal OSHA is mounting a campaign to encourage the state-run state plans to participate in the National Partnership, and anticipates numerous additional states will participate in the program.
Should I wait to join until my state acknowledges the Federal OSHA Partnership?
NATE is encouraging all members to join the Partnership now. This act of committing to a higher level of safety is a clear demonstration of their company’s willingness to be included among those who value safety above all else. Employees of partnering companies are also aware that the company they work for is committed to safety and in the tower business this translates into job security in many ways. Some companies are even planning mailings to their customers, making them aware of their participation to distinguish themselves above the competition for marketing purposes.
For further information and a list of State Plan states, please visit OSHA's website.
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