Happy New Year! I wish all a safe, healthy, happy and prosperous 2022.
Well, here it is January 2022 a new year full of new and continuing challenges and opportunities. The Chesapeake Chapter of ASSP remains focused on how we can best serve our membership. In this atmosphere created by the Covid pandemic, we are aware that not only the needs of our membership have changed, but also the ways in which we address those needs and provide services. While there has never really been a one size fits all approach, now more than ever we must strive to understand and serve our membership in ways most accessible to them.
With that in mind we continue to meet and provide content virtually, while adding in person-to-person opportunities where safe to do so. In fact, later today we will have our regular Monthly Technical Meeting on the art and science associated with energy-based hazard recognition. This program is presented on the Go Meeting platform to provide everyone the opportunity to attend in a contactless setting. I look forward to Dr Matt Hallowell’s demonstration of the energy wheel for recognizing hazards.
And coming soon, April 28, 2022 is our annual PDC where a great line-up of various topics is being developed. The event will be held both in a person-to-person setting as well as virtually, in order to offer the sessions to as many members as possible. There are sessions planned for various aspects of safety and health including construction, industrial hygiene, academia and consulting. Something for everyone. Stay tuned as the final agenda is developed. I hope to see you all there on whatever platform you are comfortable. Remember, meeting and networking with other safety professionals is one of greatest advantages of this event.
Covid 19 still dominates the news with vaccination Mandates and court cases arising almost daily. The Supreme Court recently restricted the application of mandated vaccinations and testing to health care workers. Others are being strongly encouraged to get tested with the demand for testing outstripping the supply of tests. A new program to provide free home tests to any household who wants them has recently been implemented, time will tell how effective this approach will prove to be. If you would like to participate you can order your test kits at https://special.usps.com/testkits. To the best pf my knowledge, most federal facilities are still requiring all persons who enter the facility to be fully vaccinated, however the details vary based on the agency, please check with your contracting officer for details.
ASSP is a volunteer organization that is operated by volunteer leaders. These leaders are you, the members of the Society and the Chapter. We rely on each other to make the organization a success. Please consider participating directly in the workings of the Chapter. In the next couple of months, we will be electing the Officers to guide the Chapter through the 2022-2023 activity year. I urge you to become involved. Join a committee to learn the inner workings of our group. Consider a leadership position in the organization, training is provided free of charge by the society. This training is valuable to leading in all aspects of life, not just within the organization. For more information, please visit our website at https://chesapeake.assp.org/ or contact myself or any of the other officers listed here https://chesapeake.assp.org/chapter-officers/. Your input is valuable, this is your organization and through your efforts can be a great resource to you and your fellow members. As we often hear; You get out of it, what you put into it.
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 stays warm, safe, and healthy. I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Stay Safe & Healthy!
Yours truly,
James F Kane (Jim)
Chesapeake Chapter President
American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)