Climber Protection Group (CPG), a group set up to support tower technicians in the US, has secured federal 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.

It means that the CPG is now a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which is currently pushing to give tower climbers more of a voice.

CPG was set up by former telecom tower engineer Tommy Schuch last year, with the purpose of pushing for safer conditions for telecom tower climbers in the US. Schuch formerly worked as a tower climber from 2009 until 2022.

"Getting CPG to this point has been a major goal of mine from the beginning. CPG was created to give tower climbers a voice and to push for better safety, accountability, and awareness within this industry," said Schuch.

For CPG, it means that the group is exempt from internal income tax under IRC 501(c)(3), with the Department of the Treasury determining that the group is a public charity.

The organization intends to educate people on the dangers of the profession, which is one of the most dangerous jobs in the US.

"We filed the full Form 1023 rather than the 1023-EZ. Getting CPG established as a 501(c)(3) was one of the major goals I had from the beginning because I want this to become a permanent organization representing tower climbers nationally, not something dependent entirely on me," Schuch told DCD in an email.

Membership to join CPG is offered at no cost to climbers, while Schuch added that the group has recently established an anonymous reporting system for climbers to report safety concerns and other issues happening in the field.

Long term, Schuch said he wants the group to establish more working partnerships across the industry.

"One of our biggest goals going forward is building working relationships across the industry... with NATE, contractors, carriers, regulators and lawmakers, while still remaining an independent voice for the climbers themselves," he added.

"We’re also beginning to focus heavily on funding now that the 501(c)(3) determination is in place. Long term, I want CPG to have the resources to conduct serious research and reporting, advocate on worker safety issues, and eventually provide climbers access to legal and other resources when needed."

During the last decade, Schuch's also fronted Tommy Schuch Media, a production company that documents the challenges and risks associated with the telecoms tower industry.

DCD covered the challenges that the US tower climber industry faces earlier this year, speaking to Schuch, NATE, plus tower climbers past and present. Read the article here.