Thank you for taking time out of your day to visit the website for the Chesapeake Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals.  This month, all chapter members will receive an email regarding the upcoming chapter elections.  Elected officers include; President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Director.  Each position requires the officer to volunteer between 2 and 10 hours per month, and all elected officers serve one-year terms.  In addition, the elected President appoints a chair for the following committees: Chapter Professional Development Conference, Programs, Membership, Nominations and Elections, Awards and Scholarships, Communications, Government Affairs, Professional Organizations, and WISE (Women in Safety Excellence).  The appointed committee chairs then add volunteers to their respective committees.

Now is the time to step up, get involved, and truly embrace the many benefits that the American Society of Safety Professionals has to offer!  The Chesapeake Chapter is one of the most active chapters in the nation, with monthly chapter ‘hybrid’ lunch and learns, and multiple social events that take place during the day and in the evenings.  In addition, the chapter partners with the American Industrial Hygiene Association’s Chesapeake and Potomac Locals for one of the most highly attended professional development conferences in the region.   If you are interested in running for any of the elected positions, volunteering to serve as a committee chair, or assist by becoming a member of any of our committees, please reach out to me directly.

Regardless of the commitment that you are able to make, your assistance is needed and appreciated.   Thank you for taking the time to visit the website for the Chesapeake Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals.  I hope to hear from you soon.

James Woodward Sr.
ASSP Chesapeake Chapter
President

Thank you for taking time out of your day to visit the website for the Chesapeake Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals.  In the early morning hours of the second Sunday in March, we moved the clocks ahead an hour in recognition of daylight savings time.  For many, this is the unofficial start of spring.  A few weeks later, the sun’s rays shine onto the equator, while the Earth sat with its axis tilted neither toward nor away from the sun.  For those of you who are familiar with astronomy… this marked the spring equinox, which is the official start of the spring season.  Regardless of how you define the change of seasons, we can confidently state that Spring is in the air!

With the change in season comes some unique hazards that may affect workers in all employment settings.  While it is estimated that about 25% of Americans are still working remotely, at least for a portion of their work week, there are still a large percentage of the workforce who commute on a daily basis.  With the time change comes an increase in auto accidents, heart attacks, and strokes.  In addition, there is an increase in fatigue, lack of focus, and complacency.  Please be sure to take the time necessary to allow your body to adjust to the time change.

The spring season also means that it is election season for the Chesapeake Chapter of ASSP!  All chapter members will receive an email regarding the upcoming chapter elections.  Elected officers include; President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Director.  Each position requires the officer to volunteer between 2 and 10 hours per month, and all elected officers serve one year terms.  In addition, the elected President appoints a chair for the following committees; Chapter Professional Development Conference, Programs, Membership, Nominations and Elections, Awards and Scholarships, Communications, Government Affairs, Professional Organizations, and WISE (Women in Safety Excellence).  The appointed committee chairs then add volunteers to their respective committee.

Regardless of the commitment that you are able to make, your assistance is needed and appreciated.   Thank you for taking the time to visit the website for the Chesapeake Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals.  I hope to hear from you soon.

James A. Woodward Sr.

ASSP Chesapeake Chapter

President

Thank you for being a member of the Chesapeake Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals. While several weeks ago, the ball dropped on New Year’s Eve and we rang in 2026, for the governing body of the American Society of Safety Professionals, we are more than 2/3 of the way through our chapter year and it is time to start planning for the 2026-2027 year! We need your help!

In the next few weeks, all chapter members will receive an email regarding the upcoming chapter elections. Elected officers include President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Director. Each position requires the officer to volunteer between 2 and 10 hours per month, and all elected officers serve one-year terms. In addition, the elected President appoints a chair for the following committees: Chapter Professional Development Conference, Programs, Membership, Nominations and Elections, Awards and Scholarships, Communications, Government Affairs, Professional Organizations, and WISE (Women in Safety Excellence). The appointed committee chairs then add volunteers to their respective committee.

Now is the time to step up, get involved, and truly embrace the many benefits that the American Society of Safety Professionals has to offer! The Chesapeake Chapter is one of the most active chapters in the nation, with monthly chapter ‘hybrid’ lunch and learns, and multiple social events that take place during the day and in the evenings. In addition, the chapter partners with the American Industrial Hygiene Association’s Chesapeake and Potomac Locals for one of the most highly attended professional development conferences in the region. This year’s conference will take place on March 26- please check out our events page for a link to register! If you are interested in running for any of the elected positions, volunteering to serve as a committee chair, or assist by becoming a member of any of our committees, please reach out to me directly.

Regardless of the commitment that you are able to make, your assistance is needed and appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to visit the website for the Chesapeake Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals. I hope to hear from you soon.

James A. Woodward Sr.
ASSP Chesapeake Chapter
President

Thank you for taking time out of your day to visit the website for the Chesapeake Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals.  I hope that everyone had a great holiday and enjoyed some much-needed time with family and friends.  With the holidays behind us, it is a great time to ‘Re-Focus’

With all of the challenges and distractions that we face in today’s world, it is often difficult to be truly present in the moment. It is important to recognize, and adjust, when our minds are not fully focused or present on the task at hand. All too often, we are physically present somewhere, but our focus and attention are not. We have all been in this position.  For example, when driving, we may zone out for a few moments, only to realize that we have driven several miles, yet have no recollection of the drive. This kind of disconnect from the present moment can be extremely dangerous when at work or at home.  Consider the following tips to help you re-focus:

• Take note of how well you are focusing and where your mind is at. From there, make the conscious choice to improve your focus and attention, if needed.
• When you are part of a discussion or receiving directions, make sure you are actively listening to the person speaking.
• Eliminate distractions 
• Take a deep breath, before you
• Identify any personal concerns that are causing your mind to wander and not be fully present at work. If it is not possible to eliminate them, talk about them with your supervisor so they can help you address them accordingly.

It can be challenging to truly be present in the moment. Distractions such as; family obligations, politics, long hours, family, and overall stress may plague our ability to be fully engaged in the task at hand. Being present and focused is only possible when we take a step back and consider all of the steps necessary to complete that task. 

Also… every 30 minutes, take 30 seconds, and look 30 feet around you to improve your focus and situational awareness.

Lastly…

2026 elections will be taking place in the coming months, and we are hoping to see some new names on the ballot!  Don’t let the many benefits that ASSP has to offer pass you by!  The Chesapeake Chapter is one of the most active chapters in the nation, with monthly chapter ‘hybrid’ lunch and learns and multiple social events that take place during the day and in the evenings.  In addition, we are actively recruiting members to serve on many committees.  Regardless of the commitment that you can make, your assistance is needed and appreciated.   If you are interested in being more active in the chapter, please reach out to me directly. Thank for taking the time to visit the website for the Chesapeake Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals.

James Woodward Sr.

ASSP Chesapeake Chapter

President

Thank you for taking time out of your day to visit the website for the Chesapeake Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals. I hope that everyone had a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. It is hard to believe that 2026 is right around the corner and the holiday season is upon us.

If you celebrate the Holidays, there are some unique hazards in your home that you may not have considered… These hazards include:

• A giant tree in the middle of your living room
• Tiny lights plugged in throughout the inside and outside of your home
• Lit candles in your home for eight consecutive nights
• A dozen or more family members gathered in your kitchen singing carols, arguing about politics, and/or eating way too much
• The potential for a fat man in a red suit to slide down your chimney to bring your children presents

With that in mind, consider the following tips:

• Be sure to inspect your lights and look for frayed wires or other damage to cords
• Be sure to check the filter on your furnace and replace regularly
• Keep outdoor lights off of the ground and away from metal rain gutters
• When you prepare your Holiday Dinner, ensure that the food is thoroughly cooked
• Store leftovers in sealed plastic containers and heat them to their required temperatures
• If you have a fresh cut Christmas tree, be sure to water it routinely and keep it away from open flames such as candles or fireplaces
• A tree that is not properly watered is at greater risk of catching fire, which can result in an entire house becoming engulfed in a matter of minutes

The official start of winter is on the horizon. Before you know it, the holiday season will have come and gone. Don’t let the many benefits that ASSP has to offer pass you by! Regardless of the industry that you work in, ASSP has something for you. In addition, we are looking for assistance on one of our many committees. While many of our volunteers spend 8 or more hours per month, in their volunteer roles, many others spend less than 2 hours. Regardless of the commitment that you are able to make, your assistance is needed and appreciated. If you are interested in being more active in the chapter, please reach out to me directly. Thank for taking the time to visit the website for the Chesapeake Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals.

James Woodward Sr.
ASSP Chesapeake Chapter, President

Thank you for taking time out of your day to visit the website for the Chesapeake Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals. Now that Halloween is in the rear-view mirror, many Americans are planning for the Thanksgiving holiday. Whether you enjoy a large family dinner, sitting on the sofa watching football all day, or scouring the aisles for those black Friday deals… most of us will likely have to travel at some point. In fact, the Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving sees more motorists on the roadways than any other day. With that said, here are some tips to keep you safe while traveling:

• Perform a vehicle maintenance check
• Pack a winter safety kit
• Avoid driving during peak times
• Make routine pit stops
• Get plenty of rest, prior to driving
• Allow ample time to reach your destination
• Have entertainment available to keep children occupied

In addition to high traffic on the roadways, Sunday after Thanksgiving is typically the busiest day at airports. Here are some air travel tips:

• Arrive at the airport at least 1.5 hours prior to domestic flights and 2 hours prior to international flights
• Travel on the day of the holiday to save a few bucks getting to your destination
• Consider an extended stay and travel back the Tuesday or Wednesday after the holiday to save even more
• Pack enough… but not too much
• Consider shipping holiday gifts, rather than packing them
• Be aware of the TSA requirements
• Register with TSA pre-check to save time at the terminal

The official start of winter is on the horizon. Before you know it, the holiday season will have come and gone and passed us by! Don’t let the many benefits that ASSP has to offer pass you by! Regardless of the industry that you work in, ASSP has something for you. In addition, we are looking for assistance on one of our many committees. While many of our volunteers spend 8 or more hours per month, in their volunteer roles, many others spend less than 2 hours. Regardless of the commitment that you are able to make, your assistance is needed and appreciated. If you are interested in being more active in the chapter, please reach out to me directly. Thank for taking the time to visit the website for the Chesapeake Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals.

James Woodward Sr.
ASSP Chesapeake Chapter President