Happy Groundhog Month, Punxsutawney Phil, by seeing his shadow predicts another 6 weeks of winter.  However, here at the Chesapeake Chapter of ASSP, things are already heating up for 2022.  On the National Society front there are 2 important issues before the House of Delegates: 1) the Governance changes that have been well discussed and debated over the last several months, and 2) the Sale of the existing ASSP Society Headquarters building and to lease alternative office space to meet the Society’s needs.  Both issues have been distributed to Delegates by electronic ballot and the Chesapeake Chapter will have final consideration at our Executive Committee Meeting today.  Details on both of these issues can be found at the ASSP Website or by following these links respectively: 1) Governance and 2) Real Estate Sale.

On the Chapter level there are also some important and interesting events taking place: today is our Monthly EC Meeting where our volunteer leaders handle the Chapter’s business.  Next week is our Chapter Technical Meeting where we welcome Jeremy Verrillo, who will discuss Upper Extremity Injuries and how to prevent them. Please visit the Chesapeake Chapter Website for more information on how to attend this informative meeting. And please mark your calendars for this year’s Chapter PDC scheduled for April 28, 2022, the plans are well on their way and there are topics that should interest all our members.  This year the meeting will be held hybrid and we would love to see you in person, or virtually if that suits your needs better.

The ASSP Society and the Chesapeake Chapter are volunteer organizations that rely on the membership to organize and run our operations. The primary goal of the Chapter and the Society is to provide service and value to our members.  What does that mean? Well, it is up to the membership to decide and we do that by electing officers and appointing committees to provide these services. Our success depends on the efforts of your Chapter and Society volunteer leaders. You can play a vital role in the operations and future course of the organization.  The Chapter is currently nominating persons to serve on the Officer Committee and the Executive Committee.  Additionally, there are various committees that need your help as well.  The positions are established with success in mind.  There are free training programs and great mentoring opportunities to ensure success. Develop and practice your leadership skills while contributing to the safety profession. For more information, please visit our website and feel free to reach out to our current volunteer leaders.  Elections will take place soon, so please become involved for the benefit of the Chapter, the Society and yourself. Please see our current leaders here and reach out to them https://chesapeake.assp.org/chapter-officers/

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)

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)

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)

Fall is here and what a beautiful time of the year.  The bright colors and crisp air remind us that the year is winding down. My how quickly time is passing by with everyone hard at work. This month we look forward to the ASSP Virtual Leadership Conference on October 21 & 22, 2021.  The Leadership Conference is an excellent opportunity for our volunteer members to learn more about the Society and how they can play a role in the future of the Society and the safety profession. For more information, please look here: https://www.assp.org/education/conferences/leadership-conference.  The Conference is free and available to all as a virtual event.  Current Office holders, Committee Chairs and those interested in holding a leadership position in the Chapter or Society are encouraged to attend.

On that note, with the year winding down, it is time to start recruiting members to serve their Chapter and the Society for 2022-2023.  As a volunteer organization, we rely on the efforts of our members for the success of our programs.  If you have an interest in safety and want to be a contributing member, please consider a service position.  There are a number of committees that you can participate in and experience and learn the workings of the Chapter first hand.  This provides valuable leadership experience that you can use in your professional and personal life, as well as a nice addition to your resume.

Thank you to the current Officers and Committee Members who work to make the Chesapeake Chapter a true success. We are all looking forward to our monthly EC Meeting and to the Delegates’ Report from the House of Delegates Meeting held September 28, 2021.  Undoubtedly there was some lively discussion as the Society moves forward with the Governance changes.  This is a pivotal time for the Society and the better-informed Chapter Members are, the better we can respond and adapt.  For more information on the governance changes please look here: https://www.assp.org/about/assp-governance.

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 good month.

Stay Safe & Healthy!

Yours truly,

James F Kane (Jim)
Chesapeake Chapter President
American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)

August and September have been extremely busy months here at the Chesapeake Chapter of ASSP; a great way to start saying goodbye to summer.  The weather has cooled off significantly but there still are a few hot afternoons ahead. Workers need to dress appropriately for the temperature changes throughout the day.  The sun is lower in the sky and creates a glare that can greatly reduce visibility, so please have your sunglasses ready.

The ASSP Region VI PDC held August 23 – 27 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Was a big success with representation of several of our Chapter members. Thanks to all the Region VI PDC committee members for all their efforts.  Prior to the PDC the Fall Regional Operation Conference was held with a strong contingency from the Chesapeake Chapter participating.  One of the topics of considerable concern is the Governance Changes proposed for the House of Delegates and the Board of Directors.

The Society has appointed a task force to develop what they believe are changes appropriate to meet these goals.  The scope and implications of these proposed governance changes far exceed what this short message can cover.  There has already been significant debate and consideration from a number of different sources and opinions.  I urge all our members to be informed about these changes, please go to https://www.assp.org/about/assp-governance for the latest information.  The House of Delegates (HOD) will meet on September 28, 2021 for a regular HOD Session; however, the Governance Change vote has been postponed until early 2022 to better answer questions and disseminate information.  A chapter monthly meeting was held on August 19, 2021 @ 10:00 specifically to address this issue.    Once you have reviewed the information, please contact one of our Delegates, Paul Esposito or James Woodward to voice your opinion.  The Executive Committee of the Chesapeake Chapter will vote at the September EC Meeting on how to instruct our Delegates to proceed at the HOD Meeting.

Change can be difficult, but is always easier to accept and implement when we are well informed of what we are trying to achieve and why. Let’s work together so the Chesapeake Chapter can meet its full potential and be the best that it can be!

On that note, congratulations to the Chesapeake Chapter for achieving PLATINUM Level for Activity Year 2020-2021.  Well done by all who participated. If you would like to participate there are great leadership opportunities available on various committees, please see https://chesapeake.assp.org/  and choose a committee aligned with your interests.

Thank you for all your service to the Chapter, The Society and all our members.

Stay Safe & Healthy!

Yours truly,

James F Kane (Jim)
Chesapeake Chapter President
American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)

August 2021

“The world it is a changing!”

Change – in this time of quickly changing circumstances, primarily from a pandemic that has rocked the world in many ways, one thing is for certain, that is: nothing is for certain.  With constant change being thrust upon the world community and its members, we have had to learn how to adapt and change, and to do so quickly.  When your very existence is at risk, one does not have unlimited time to deliberate what your next action or reaction will be.  We have learned how to be flexible and adapt quickly to meet those changes. If we as safety professionals practice what we preach, then we need to look broadly at the lessons learned over the last months.  The ASSP Society is doing just that in considering governance changes intended to allow the Society to act more quickly while receiving diverse input from the membership.

The Society has appointed a task force to develop what they believe are changes appropriate to meet these goals.  The scope and implications of these proposed governance changes far exceed what this short message can cover.  There has already been significant debate and consideration from a number of different sources and opinions.  I urge all our members to be informed about these changes, please go to https://www.assp.org/about/assp-governance for the latest information.  The House of Delegates (HOD) will vote on these changes at the HOD meeting on September 28, 2021.  We want all members to be informed and their voices to be heard so we will have a session devoted to this issue on August 19, 2021 @ 10:00 as our regular monthly Chapter Meeting.  This meeting will be virtual so as to be available to as many members as possible.  Register to attend the meeting at https://chesapeake.assp.org/events/chesapeake-assp-virtual-meeting-3/. Once you have reviewed the information, please contact one of our Delegates, Paul Esposito or James Woodward to voice your opinion.  The Executive Committee of the Chesapeake Chapter will vote at the September EC Meeting on how to instruct our Delegates to proceed at the HOD Meeting.

Additionally, as this is the beginning of the 2021-2022 Activity Year, the Chapter is soliciting input as to how we can better serve our membership.  This is your chapter and your organization; input is needed in order to meet your needs and expectations.  Please become involved so we can move forward in a positive direction for the benefit our membership.  There are a number of committees and special interest groups intended to address the varied interests of our members.  Please take the time to check out our website.

Change is can be difficult but is always easier to accept and implement when we are well informed of what we are trying to achieve and why. Let’s work together so the Chesapeake Chapter can meet its full potential and be the best that it can be!

On that note, congratulations to the Chesapeake Chapter for achieving PLATINUM Level for Activity Year 2020-2021.  Well done by all who participated.

Thank you for all your service to the Chapter, The Society and all our members.

Stay Safe & Healthy!

Yours truly,

James F Kane (Jim)
Chesapeake Chapter President
American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)