Happy New Year!

This month marks the start of a New Activity Year for ASSP and the Chesapeake Chapter.  It’s appropriate that we end 2020-2021 with a moment of reflection and gratitude.  This has been one of if not the most challenging years that most of us can remember.  Through all the ups and downs, though it may have felt like mostly downs, we not only persevered, but moved forward in many significant ways.  As we look back, from where we are now, it’s sometimes hard to recall the way it used to be.  Things have changed, some for the better, some maybe not, only time will tell. But the sure bet is that things will never again be “the way they were”.

The successes we have achieved are the direct result of the efforts put forth by our volunteer leadership. They remained focused and determined and for that I am truly grateful.  The Executive Committee and Committee Chairs remained flexible and goal oriented. The positive and practical attitude is an attestation of the professionalism of our profession and our Chapter in particular. Thank you to all who served and participated.

Moving forward into 2021-2022 we have a new slate of officers ready to take the helm and set a course for our Chapter.  I welcome you all and wish great success while pledging to assist you in a successful year. All our members are important and urged to get involved and play a role in making this the Chapter a benefit and success to all. There are several different committees, with a wide range of interests to enable you to hone your leadership skills, make new friends and associates in this wonderful industry.  Please visit our website at https://chesapeake.assp.org/ and have a look around.  Feel free to contact myself or any other Committee Member for more information.

Looking ahead we are already planning for some informative and useful programs.  Our last Member’s Meeting at beautiful Boordy Vineyards was not only productive in identifying topics for future events, but also a super enjoyable day out in the country.  If you have any topics you would like to have addressed, please attend our next meeting so we can discuss them.  July’s Member’s Meeting will be a Round Table Discussion with local safety professionals relating their experience combating Heat Stress in the Workplace.  You can find the sign-up link on our website at https://chesapeake.assp.org/events/chesapeake-assp-virtual-meeting-2/

On the Society level there are Governance changes being considered that every member should be aware of as these will affect the membership as a whole.  Please review them HERE so we can have an informed discussion as we move ahead. For more information on the Chesapeake Chapter please visit our website at https://chesapeake.assp.org/ .

Thank you for all you do to ensure the continued success of the Chesapeake Chapter.  We look forward to meeting interested new comers.

Stay Safe & Stay Healthy!

Yours truly,

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

The heat is on! As we bring activity year 2020-2021 to close and prepare for 2021-2022, we find ourselves gazing over a bright horizon. Covid 19 restrictions are being lifted, businesses and schools are reopening and face to face contact is becoming a reality once again. We must look back on the last year as one of great challenges, where we as a Society and Chapter not only survived, but were able to thrive due to perseverance, flexibility and our ability to learn and master new concepts and approaches. Looking ahead with the realization that life and social interactions will likely never return to “normal”, pre-Covid conditions, what did we learn last year and how can we use it moving forward?

On June 17, the Chesapeake Chapter will be holding a planning session to address these issues.  What would we like to achieve and how best to achieve it over the next 12 months? Moving forward what will be the best format for presenting information, for conducting business, and making decisions? Face to face, virtual or a combination of both. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend and participate.  This is your organization, let your voices be heard and your expectations be known. The meeting will be held at the beautiful Boordy Vineyards where social distancing should not be a concern.  To register please go to https://chesapeake.assp.org/events/assp-chesapeake-chapter-picnic/ bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the outdoors and the interaction with colleagues.

On the Society level there are Governance changes being considered that every member should be aware of as these will affect the membership as a whole.  Please review them HERE so we can have an informed discussion as we move ahead.

Thank you for all you do to ensure the continued success of the Chesapeake Chapter.  We look forward to meeting interested new comers.

Stay Safe & Stay Healthy!

Yours truly,

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

Busy as a bee.  With the welcome warmer weather and the spirit of the rebirth of spring, things are really starting to happen. Many great opportunities and challenges on the horizon.  On the Chapter level, there are several events taking place, including the much-anticipated Professional Development Conference (PDC) occurring virtually this Thursday, April 15.  The diverse agenda is sure to have something interesting for Safety Professionals.  From construction, manufacturing, academia, consultants and Industrial Hygienists.  The April 15 tax deadline has been extended again this year, so take the day to further your professional development. There is still time to register. See you there!

Additionally, the Regional Operating Committee for Region 6, of which we are a member, meets tomorrow to chart the course for us and neighboring chapters.  So, with three important events in a row this week alone, we have our work cut out for us.  Other Chesapeake Chapter activities include reviewing and revising the Chapter Bylaws.  A committee is forming now that will review our current Bylaws, compare them to the Society’s Model Bylaws and use the Bylaw tool to revise them, where warranted.  Our goal is to have a set of Bylaws that reflect what we actually do and how we conduct our business.  Once established the Bylaws must be followed in future endeavors by the Chapter. Also on the upcoming agenda is a financial audit and recommendations on how to manage and report our financial resources as we move forward.  An ambitious to-do list, that I am confident our dedicated group of volunteers can and will accomplish.

The ASSP and the Chesapeake Chapter is a volunteer organization devoted to serving our members.  In order to be successful, our members must also be devoted to serving the Chapter.  There are several opportunities for members to step up and do their part for the Chapter, servant leaders helping each other as we help ourselves.  A variety of interests are addressed by our committee system including the Bylaw Revisions, Communications, Membership, Event Planning, PDC and others. Something of interest to help the chapter succeed and the individual grow and gain some leadership experience. Please come on board.  Volunteering and participating in these committees looks good on your resume as well.

Thank you to our current Committee Chairs who keep our Chapter going.  We look forward to participation from more members as we move forward. All are welcome and appreciated.  Please check out our website and feel free to contact me to volunteer or with questions and comments.

Stay Safe & Stay Healthy!

Yours truly,

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

Spring is in the air! As the weather starts to warm, the trees and flowers begin to bud and bloom, there is a true since of rebirth. There is also a growing sense of relief, that the Covid 19 pandemic may be past its peak.  With three vaccines now available and being distributed, some states re-opening businesses, children returning to schools, a slight feel of normalcy is setting in.  The new presidential administration is busy setting a new course for the country.

Here at the Chesapeake Chapter, we are looking forward to our upcoming PDC on April 15, a much-anticipated event.  Registration is open with early bird specials, so please be sure to participate. A wide-ranging agenda from construction safety to industrial hygiene provides something of interest to most safety professionals.  You can find registration information at https://chesapeake.assp.org, if you are a safety professional who is not a member, please have a look around our website and consider joining, applications can be found there as well.

Our February monthly meeting was another success, where we learned about the 10 Most Cited OSHA violations from an OSHA Regional representative. The presentation was very informative and accentuated areas for focus and improvement.  Stay tuned for more great topics in the future.

We have a new slate of officers for 2021-2022 year here at the Chesapeake Chapter, a group of dedicated and committed members working for you at the chapter level.  Ballots will be going out soon, so please be sure to vote.

To all our members and especially those who volunteer their services, my sincere appreciation.  You are what make this such a great organization.

Stay Safe & Stay Healthy!

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

Happy February to All the Members of the Chesapeake Chapter of ASSP.  The year is moving ahead quickly as it seems like just yesterday, we were welcoming in 2021.  On the health front, Covid-19 vaccines from various manufacturers have been approved for use, and distribution is in progress.  The task of vaccinating over 300 million people is quite challenging and may very well impact our operations moving forward.  In the meantime, the virus continues to spread, possibly at a slower rate, but still posing a risk to all of us.  We cannot allow complacency to set in and offset the progress made thus far, so please follow the established guidelines such as social distancing, wearing face covering and continual good hygiene practices.

On the political front, the new administration has been busy making its mark through various executive orders.  The full extent of these initiatives has not been fully realized, but will likely affect us as well.  In particular an increased focus on occupational safety and environmental issues may directly impact us. Stay tuned to see how this all shakes out.

On the Chapter front, we continue to offer some interesting and useful topics during a regular monthly meetings. January’s topic of Damage Prevention presented by Miss Utilities in conjunction with BGE was well attended and chocked full of on the ground (or in the ground) procedures and tips on preventing damage to existing underground utilities.  February’s meeting should prove to be just as informative.  Additionally, plans for our Virtual PDC, on April 15, are coming together nicely with a little something for just about everyone, including some great construction topics.

As we move forward, please keep checking back to our website for the latest news and updates.

Stay Safe & Stay Healthy!

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

Welcome to 2021, best wishes for a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year! The year 2020 has certainly presented us with a plethora of new challenges. With the distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine and a controversial national election behind us, 2021 shows excellent signs of better days ahead. With certainty, 2021 will bring its own set of challenges since the prospect of returning to pre-Covid “normal” is next to nil.

But rather than dwell on the past, let’s take stock of the good that was gained. We now have a better knowledge and understanding on how to use the various digital tools to our advantage, which offer many opportunities as we move forward.  In a sense our worlds have expanded as we experienced how to interact with a greater community, local now has a new meaning as persons around the world can join us in our virtual activities. This provides a greatly expanded audience for us to influence with the importance of safety in our lives.

Health, safety, security all have new meaning as these have become daily household concerns. The general public now has a greater appreciation for the importance of these concerns, something that we can leverage as the leaders and experts in these fields. Just think of the term PPE and what it meant to the average person a year ago compared to today, what an awakening.

We still have a lot of work ahead of us. A concern that is ever increasing during these periods of “lock-downs” and isolation is mental health.  These concerns increase with each passing day.  First, let’s check ourselves, those who take care of others in these trying times, don’t forget we all have families and social pressures as well.  We cannot help others if we are not well ourselves. When help is needed, ask for it. Keep an eye on coworkers, family members and our communities, when something doesn’t seem right, it usually is a sign of concern.  There are avenues for help available around us, let’s make good use of them,

For the new members of the Chapter, a hardy welcome.  You are coming on board at a great time.  Whether you are new to this field or a seasoned professional, you will find a cornucopia of resources here for you. The more you participate, the more you will gain. So, consider volunteering for a committee, community or group of your interest. We all work together to make this Society and Chapter a success.

To our loyal Chapter membership, who have weathered the storm of 2020, a sincere thank you for forging ahead and making our chapter a continuing success.  I’m looking forward to a great 2021.

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