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Summer 2022 Newsletter
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 | Colleagues,
I’m going to be honest. I have been struggling with Safety. With all the loss and disruption caused by this pandemic, it’s been difficult for me to find meaning and relevance in my old safety concepts and motivations. Earlier in my career, I was resolute in this simple mantra – “No injury or illness, no lost workday, NO death is acceptable. No exceptions.” It sounds good, right?
But when I think about the millions of deaths and innumerable illnesses and lost workdays caused by this virus, then contrast that with the imperative of supporting individual choice, I struggle. Furthermore, if we as a nation can accept “personal responsibility” as the main control for a hazard like COVID, what does that mean for the acceptance and management for those other – statistically less dangerous- risks in our workplaces?
This question has stymied me.
But recently, I was reminded of some other concepts in our profession that offer a path forward. Specifically, I was reminded of the strong ties to safety, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
It was during an acceptance speech where an esteemed colleague was receiving a well-deserved honor for her service and commitment to safety. In this speech, she acknowledged the industries great progress in safety yet fairly criticized the fact that workplace fatality rates have gone relatively unchanged for far too many years. I was struck by a clear call to action, which was made in the tone of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
I appreciate the reminder, dear friend.
So, I pass this message to you. If you’re like me, struggling, and perhaps stuck in where you’re at with Safety, try this: Instead of using terms like safe or unsafe, ask yourself, “Is this excellent or not excellent? If not excellent, what can be done to improve?”
These are the questions I’m asking myself this Spring.
P.S. I’d like to acknowledge the exceptional work of this Chapter’s Board, most notably Julie Anderson. While we are disappointed to have canceled the PDC, it does not discount all the impressive effort Julie, our volunteers, and partners put into planning the event. Silver lining: The effort was a great learning experience, and we look forward to creating more opportunities to gather with you all soon.
May you have a safe and joyous Spring!
Kate McGee, Philadelphia ASSP Chapter President
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|  | We are pleased to announce the results of the 2022 Election. The newly elected officers are:
Vice President:
Ryan Costello, SMS - EHS Manager at First Quality
Secetary:
Helen Rush, GSP - EHS Coordinator at Morton Salt
Delegate:
Omar Whitfield, CSP - Safety Engineer at U.S Department of Labor
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June 2nd - Beat the Heat!
Please look out for emails pertaining to future meetings.
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| February Meeting - DOT Updates and Vehicle Inspection Demonstration
| March Meeting - Integrating Human and Organizational Performance into Safety Management "A New View of Safety"
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|  | Why do we observe American Heart Month every February? Well, every year more than 600,000 Americans die from heart disease. The number one cause of deaths for most groups, heart disease affects all ages, genders, and ethnicities. Risk factors include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and excessive alcohol use.
Do you know how to keep your heart healthy? You can take an active role in reducing your risk for heart disease by eating a healthy diet, engaging in physical activity, and managing your cholesterol and blood pressure. This is a great chance to start some heart-healthy habits!
HISTORY OF AMERICAN HEART MONTH
The human heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout our body, supplying oxygen and nutrients and removing toxins and waste. Weighing between 8 and 12 ounces, the heart is a mighty organ divided into four chambers that work together to pump blood in and out. The heart gets oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it throughout the rest of the body. It does this by contracting at a rhythmic pace, about 60-80 times per minute, thanks to electrical cells called “pacemakers.” When the heart ceases to perform its regular function, a medical device also called a pacemaker can be implanted to assist the heart.
Heart disease occurs when the arteries leading to the heart become clogged. Although heart disease has been around for thousands of years, we do know that many aspects of modern life exacerbate risk factors and make people more prone to heart disease and heart failure. Today, one in four deaths in the U.S. is attributable to heart disease. Heart disease can affect everyone, but taking stock of your prior health risks, activities and diet can help you reduce your risk.
Although we’ve learned a lot about how the heart works, there are still many unanswered questions about heart health and the cardiovascular system. As far as we know, the best way to protect your heart is to stay active, eat a healthy and balanced diet, and reduce your daily stress. To celebrate American Heart Month, take some time to learn about heart health risks, find your favorite heart-healthy activities, and cook some healthy meals with your family.
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There are more than 5.3 million children and adults in the United States who are living with a permanent brain injury-related disability.
That’s one in every 60 people.
If you know someone who is living with brain injury – or if you have one yourself – you know that brain injury is not an event or an outcome. It’s the start of a misunderstood, misdiagnosed, underfunded neurological disease.
Join the #MoreThanMyBrainInjury campaign and help us educate others about what it’s like to live with a brain injury. We want everyone, everywhere to join us in:
- Increasing understanding of brain injury as a chronic condition
- Reducing the stigma associated with having a brain injury
- Showcasing the diversity of injury and the demographics of the community
- Improving care and support for individuals with brain injury and their families
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|  | April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a united nationwide effort to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and eliminate preventable deaths and injuries on our roadways. Accordingly to the latest statistics released by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 37,000 people were killed on our highways in 2016, an increase of 5.6% from 2015. Here is what you can do for Distracted Driving Awareness Month (and the following months) to make yourself, your family, your employees and our roads safer.
Though traffic has dropped significantly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, our roads have only gotten more dangerous. On a typical day, more than 700 people are still injured in distracted driving crashes. Talking on a cell phone – even hands-free – or texting or programming an in-vehicle infotainment system diverts your attention away from driving. Keep yourself and others around you safe and #justdrive.
Join NSC during Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April to help make our roadways and our people safer. Whether you’re driving a forklift, semi-truck or just headed home after work, attentive driving is more important than ever. Create a distracted driving program and engage your workforce with ready-made communications and resources.
Take Action Today
Commit to driving distraction-free by taking the NSC Just Drive Pledge. And, consider donating to NSC to help us keep our roads and each other safe. We train drivers and advocate for safe driving programs that make a difference. Your support helps us make the roads safer for everyone.
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The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is a non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety in the home, school, and workplace. To commemorate National Electrical Safety Month each May, ESFI spearheads an annual campaign to educate key audiences about the steps that can be taken in order to reduce the number of electrically related fires, fatalities, injuries, and property loss. ESFI’s National Electrical Safety Month 2022 campaign features a comprehensive collection of new and updated resources to help facilitate an effective electrical safety awareness campaign for your community, organization, school, or family. Included is an extensive collection of fact sheets and related safety tips, plus templates and tools you can use to promote electrical safety and National Electrical Safety Month in your home, school, community, or workplace. We have even provided media outreach materials to help further spread our lifesaving campaign messages
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Congratulations to Hoyt Emmons, who was honored for his many years of exemplary service to the safety profession by being elected Safety Professional of the Year (SPY) for both the Philadelphia Chapter AND Region VIII of ASSP (covering PA, NJ, NY, CT, MA, RI, NH, VT and ME)!!!
Hoyt Emmons has over 30 year of EHS professional experiences include being the department head and senior EHS Officer at several companies, ranging from start-up operations to multi-national Fortune 500 corporations. Hoyt has been successful in developing and implementing EHS programs by bringing together and addressing the interdependent needs of key stakeholders including the organization, the workforce, and the core values of sustainable safety.
Hoyt joined the ASSP and the Philadelphia Chapter over 20 years ago, was President 2008-2009, and has served on the Executive Board in various roles since 2005. Hoyt’s ASSP priority is always the service of our members and to promote the recognition of EHS professionals in organizational success. Hoyt has presented training topics at several ASSP and AIHA meetings and has presented three times at the PA Governor’s Safety Conference.
Hoyt recently has been recognized COVID-19 workplace subject matter expert (SME) ensuring wellness management for the construction industry and general industry and is an active member of six COVID-19 task teams. COVID and contagious-related professional experience includes being an Inhalation Toxicity Principal Investigator, and as manager of corporate hazard communications in the epidemiology department at the Rohm and Haas chemical company.
Hoyt is an assistant adjunct professor of occupational safety at Temple University (and previously at St. Joseph University). Hoyt also teaches hospital ICRA training (Infectious Control Risk Assessment) to the construction trades, is an OSHA Authorized Outreach Trainer for Construction and General Industry (OSHA 10 and 30 hour courses), an instructor for the American Red Cross, and reached HAZWOPER classes from 8 hour to the complete 40 hour course.
Hoyt’s education includes a BS in Animal Husbandry from Delaware Valley University, graduate work in anatomy and physiology at the University of Maryland, an MBA in Management from LaSalle University, and a MS in Environmental /Occupational Health from Temple University.
When Hoyt enjoys spending time with family and friends and when he is not busy doing occupational safety work, he’s busy as a professional sheep shearer, shearing over 2000 local sheep each year including many pro bono shearing services for non-profit institutions.
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In the age of social media, instant communication and telecommuting, connection to a strong, live safety community has never been more important. Your membership in the ASSP Philadelphia Chapter is a tremendous resource that can help you filter through the noise and keep you in touch with what’s really important. Whether it is following us on our social media platforms (LinkedIn or Facebook), attending our monthly events, or becoming involved in a subcommittee or leadership role, you have the power to decide your level of engagement. Why look any further than this community of safety professionals - right here in your backyard - to support your professional and personal development!
I encourage each of our 500+ members to look at their schedules and find the time to become involved. I am excited to see what this chapter’s leadership will achieve as we continue to build off the success from last year’s team. Finally, as we start to make our plans and book out the calendar, we want to assure all of our members that the executive committee is dedicated to making your membership experience the best it can be!
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| Have you ever thought about getting more involved with ASSP? What a better way to take advantage of your membership and the benefits it provides than to be on the team who guides the chapter? These opportunities can spur career growth and ultimately lead to better job opportunities. We strongly encourage you to become more involved in our community of over 500 safety professionals who lead, manage, supervise, research and consult on safety around the area and beyond. Take advantage of a wide range of benefits available to our ASSP members and become a chapter leader. Email assp.philly@gmail.com to learn more!
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| ASSP’s “Member-Get-A-Member” Program empowers us to bring in new membership to ASSP and keep our mission growing! By referring new members to ASSP, you can be rewarded with free Webinars, Memberships, and Gift Cards. Additionally, there is a drawing for a free conference registration and accommodations. To send an email to a colleague with your own customized message and tracking code, go to: https://www.assp.org/membership/member-get-a-member
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The Philadelphia ASSP mentorship program is officially underway. We are looking to connect people early in their careers (<5 years of experience) with seasoned safety professionals.
For potential mentees, this is a great opportunity for you to connect with a mentor who can offer you insight, advice, opportunity – and help you navigate the next stage/s of your career.
For potential mentors, this is a great opportunity to give back, become a better leader, and refine your own skills and networks
Unfortunately, there is a limit on the number of people we can accept into the first group/cohort of mentors and mentees – so make sure to sign up right now using the link below.
We are excited to see the mentorships and outcomes which evolve from this initiative and look forward to matching you!
If you are interested please fill out the appropriate form (located on the chapter site under files) and return to Ryan Costello (RJCostello@firstquality.com)
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ASSP National has been regularly updating their COVID-19 webpage, providing the latest resources to assist members, their employers and their clients with re-opening as safely as possible. Some highlights include:
- A COVID-19 community discussion to ask for advice and share your experience with other front-line safety professionals.
- Webinars, podcasts and articles on various aspects of COVID-19.
- Links to COVD-19 resources from a number of other governmental and professional organizations.
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The new officers of the ASSP Philadelphia Chapter for the 2021/2021 year:
President: Kate McGee
President-Elect: John Suter
Vice President: Julie Anderson
Treasurer: Greg Wharton
Secretary: Helen Rush
Delegates: Julie Anderson
Hoyt Emmons
Omar Whitfield
Kimberli Harris
Past President: Brittany Derafelo
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| 25 YEARS |
| Len |
McCuen |
| Richard |
Neill |
| Patrick |
Karol |
| John |
Donnelly |
| Robert |
Horton |
| Matthew |
Navea |
| David |
Schernecke |
| Todd |
Bretz |
| Charles |
Honorwoski |
| Linda |
McKenna |
| Timothy |
Weir |
| Dennis |
Mueller |
| Carol |
Poole |
| Richard |
Avery |
| 30 YEARS |
| Peter |
Smith |
| James |
Glatthorn |
| Bernard |
Sloan |
| Geri |
Laskus-Barends |
| Frank |
Bruzzese |
| Michael |
Nahas |
| Peter |
Looft |
| Robert |
Elia |
| John |
Garber |
| Christopher |
O'Neill |
| Francis |
Roth |
| Frank |
Renshaw |
| 35 YEARS |
| Vincent |
Gallagher |
| John |
Maccario |
| James |
Derr |
| John |
Strouse |
| Joseph |
DiPlacido |
| 40 YEARS |
| Ronald |
Zanoni |
| William |
Grauer |
| Barbara |
Dawson |
| William |
Tersine |
| 45 YEARS AND UP |
| Danielle |
LaPorta |
| J Nigel |
Ellis |
| George |
Pearson |
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| Please give a warm Philly welcome to the following safety professionals who have joined our chapter since we published our last newsletter:
- Mohamed Al-Ali, Pennsylvania State University
- Kwasi Asare
- Lisa Barday, Be Well Ergo
- Jared Barket, Fleisher Forensics
- Lon Bartoli, Schindler Elevator Corporaration
- Chris Beach, Atlas Flasher & Supply Company
- James Brackin
- Ken Brydges, Riggs Distler
- Lior Busel
- John Chemello
- Joe Ciccarella
- John Cobleigh
- James Cutright
- Vince Daliessio, Pennoni Associates Inc
- Aaron Deegan
- Dartagnan Delgado
- Vijal Desai, Chubb
- Allan Edgarton
- Matthew Feldman
- Dwayne Fitzpatrick
- Richard Foulks, Integrated Project Services, LLC
- Tom Gilman, Railroad Construction Company of South Jersey
- Kimberly Holman, Good Fellowship Ambulance and EMS Training
- Connor Hyer
- Phoebe Ivady, Bergey's Inc.
- Leonard Johnson, Armstrong Flooring
- Kimberly Killion
- Donald Lyons
- Grace McCue
- Randolph Merced
- Craig Olsen, Brightfields, Inc.
- Garrett O’Neill, Sodexo
- John Saleski
- Haley Schupp, Keystone Industries
- Olivia Shively
- Lisa Spacht, PMA Companies
- Justin Umberger, JD Eckman Inc
- Richard Wagner
- Steven Walton, West Pharmaceutical Services
- George Watlington, Airgas
- Levi Wieand, HNL Lab Medicine
- Daren Williams, Merck
- Joseph Wills
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The following jobs were posted on our Chapter website at the time this newsletter was distributed. Postings are for 30 days unless instructed otherwise, so the jobs on the website may be slightly different when you visit.
- Certified Safety Professional/Project Manager - TRC
- Human Resource/Safety Manager - Sugarright!
- Environmental Health and Safety Specialist - Gore
- Corporate Health and Safety Specialist - USCU
Job seekers, also consider posting your resume to the ASSP Career Center, where employers across our region and across the country can match it to their job openings. At the Career Center, you can also set up a customized search to be automatically notified when jobs meeting your criteria are posted.
Jobs are posted as a service to our members who are looking for jobs, or for members whose companies are seeking qualified candidates.
Please note that job postings may be edited or abbreviated for web posting; be sure to obtain a complete copy of the job posting from the contact person listed.
To post a position, e-mail your information to the Webmaster. Postings should be submitted in a format that is easy to cut and paste (plain text, Microsoft Word, etc.). Information such as experience required, salary range, who should be contacted and how should be included.
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| We are excited to share a new benefit available to members, the ability to post your resume on the Philadelphia ASSP Chapter Website.
https://lnkd.in/dJ9PmmK
On our website, click on jobs and select seeking employment. Here you will find instructions to submit your resume and have it posted for 60 days. Employers will be referenced to refer to this location to download and view member's resumes who are seeking employment.
Submit your resume today! |  | CONTRIBUTE TO THE NEWSLETTER
| Do you have an idea for the newsletter, a photo from an event, or an article or blog post you would like us to publish? Please send the information to Helen Rush at secretary@phila.assp.org |  | |
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