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 2024 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.

Ned Fitter
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.  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.

Ned Fitter
ASSP Chesapeake Chapter President

Happy Fall.  The start of the fall season has a different meaning for many of us.  For many chapter members, the Region VI Professional Development Conference symbolizes the end of summer, and it was a pleasure to interact with many of you who were in attendance, in Myrtle Beach.  Many Americans consider the Labor Day holiday to be the end of season, while the official conclusion is September 22, with the autumnal equinox. 

Regardless of how you mark the end of summer and the beginning of fall, the kids are back at school, the leaves are changing, and pumpkin spice… well… everything is on the store shelves.  As the season changes from summer to fall, there are some additional precautions that you can take to keep you and the community safe, while on the roadways:

• Be on the lookout for school zone signals and ALWAYS obey the speed limits.
• When entering a school zone, be sure to slow down and obey all traffic laws.
• Always stop for school busses that are loading or unloading children.
• Watch out for school crossing guards and obey their signals.
• Be aware of and watch out for children near schools, bus stops, sidewalks, in the streets, in school parking lots, etc.
• Never pass other vehicles, change lanes, make u-turns, or text while driving in a school zone.
• Avoid using a cell phone, unless it is completely hands-free, while driving in a school zone.
• Unless licensed to do so, never use handicap or emergency vehicle lanes or spaces to drop off or pick up children at school.

The summer months passed us by very quickly and there is no doubt that we will be talking about winter weather safety before we know it.  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.

Ned Fitter
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 am pleased to announce that our chapter has earned PLATINUM status for the 2022-2023 chapter year!  Thank you to all of members who made this possible.

In addition, the following members have been elected to serve as officers for the 2023-2024 chapter year:

• Ned Fitter-  President
• James Woodward – 1^st Vice President
• Jim Kane – 2^nd Vice President
• Tony Lenzi – Secretary
• Eric Littlefield – Treasurer
• Craig Lowry – Director

Although the election of chapter officers has already taken place, there are several committees that are in need of assistance.  Please reach out to me if you would like to get involved with one of the most active chapters in Region VI of the American Society of Safety Professionals.  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.

Ned Fitter
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 shined 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 effect 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.

Ned Fitter
ASSP Chesapeake Chapter President

We Need Your Help!

Thank you for taking time out of your day to visit the website for the Chesapeake Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals.  While not long ago, the ball dropped on New Year’s Eve and we rang in 2023, 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 2023-2024 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, 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.   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.

Ned Fitter
ASSP Chesapeake Chapter President