With the Holiday Season quickly approaching, let us take a few moments to be thankful for all that life has to offer us. These last couple of year have been truly challenging, and through our fortitude and perseverance we have not only survived but learned how to thrive in these continuously changing times. Let us be grateful for all that we have learned and the challenges that we have overcome to grow stronger and hopefully wiser.
And just when we thought there was respite ahead, another variant and now vaccine or testing mandates. Because the vaccination/testing mandates were promulgated through OSHA, for many of us safety professionals, much of the burden of complying with this Emergency Temporary Standard falls on us. The standard requires additional policies, procedures, recordkeeping while dealing with an extremely personal and sensitive subject with our employees. While a court has ordered a stay, temporarily putting the ETS on hold, it is generally considered that this will be released and ETS will be in full force very soon. So please start working and plan ahead as the first deadlines are December 6, 2021. As this ETS cannot be covered in this short essay, the Chesapeake Chapter is scheduling a more in-depth look at the ETS and its implementation and implications. Please check our website at https://chesapeake.assp.org/ for more information and registration.
The vote on the ASSP Society Governance changes has been postponed until early in 2022 so that all members have a chance to review, question and understand the proposal. Should you have specific questions, please contact one of our delegates, Paul Esposito at PAUL.ESPOSITO@starconsultants.net or James Woodward at jwoodward@mcleancontracting.com.
On a more personal note, I appreciate all the work done by our various committees throughout the year. We have had great sessions even if only virtual, full of useful information. We are planning an in-person event to end the year, our annual “Heart of the Matter” meeting scheduled for December 14, 2021 at Kelsey’s. Please see our website for more information – https://chesapeake.assp.org/.
Welcome to our new members and Student Members, we look forward to working with you as our Chapter grows. Thank you to all our current members and special thanks to our Chapter Leaders, we must, and do, work as a team to achieve our goals. I hope everyone has a grateful and happy Thanksgiving. Looking forward to seeing everyone at Kelsey’s in December.
Stay Safe & Healthy!
Yours truly,
James F Kane (Jim)
Chesapeake Chapter President
American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)