As summer approaches and our fiscal year ends, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on some of the highlights from this term.
As we cautiously emerged into the new normal, I was pleased by the chapter success in holding a blend of in-person and virtual meetings. The virtual meetings continued to be a popular resource for professional development, and it was great to see the consistently high participation in these events. But, recognizing that networking is best done face-to-face, we committed to holding at least one in-person event per quarter. And while our first event in August 2021 was sparsely attended by an intrepid and eager few, it has been great to see how the enrollment in these in-person events steadily increased over the course of the year. This increased participation is an encouraging sign as the board plans events for the next fiscal year.
It has also been very encouraging to see the new volunteers emerge and offer their time and expertise to the chapter. The energy and commitment brought by our volunteers and partner associations are an important and valuable service to our membership. I cannot thank you all enough for your service.
Finally, I want to extend a sincere thank you to all of our members for allowing me the opportunity to serve you. It has been an amazing experience to serve as the President of the ASSP Philadelphia Chapter! I have been blessed to work with an amazing executive board and meet so many of our awesome members. As the Board works to finalize plans for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, I look forward to staying involved in the chapter and to seeing all of the amazing ideas come to fruition for our incoming leaders.
UV rays reflected off sand and water can cause eyes to sunburn, potentially resulting in temporary blindness in just a few hours. In support of UV Safety Month this July, the American Academy of Ophthalmology reminds the public of the importance of shielding eyes from the sun’s harmful rays with 100% UV-blocking sunglasses and broad-brimmed hats.
Here are some tips from the American Academy of Ophthalmology:
Don’t focus on color or darkness of sunglass lenses: Select sunglasses that block UV rays. Don’t be deceived by color or cost. The ability to block UV light is not dependent on the price tag or how dark the sunglass lenses are.
Check for 100 percent UV protection: Make sure your sunglasses block 100 percent of UV-A rays and UV-B rays.
Choose wrap-around styles: Ideally, your sunglasses, either the lenses of the frame, should wrap all the way around to your temples, so the sun’s rays can’t enter from the side.
Wear a hat: In addition to your sunglasses, wear a broad-brimmed hat to protect your eyes.
Don’t rely on contact lenses: Even if you wear contact lenses with UV protection, remember your sunglasses.
Safe + Sound Week is a nationwide event held each August that recognizes the successes of workplace health and safety programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America's workers safe.
Why Participate?
Successful safety and health programs can proactively identify and manage workplace hazards before they cause injury or illness, improving sustainability and the bottom line. Participating in Safe + Sound Week can help get your program started, energize an existing one, or provide a chance to recognize your safety successes.
Who Participates?
All organizations looking for an opportunity to recognize their commitment to safety are welcome to participate. Last year, more than 5,300 businesses helped to raise awareness about workers' health and safety!
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.
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!
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!
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
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)
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.
Please give a warm Philly welcome to the following safety professionals who have joined our chapter since we published our last newsletter:
Amy McKay
Bryan Farris
Francisco Torres
Jack Novotny
Matt Tackett
Samantha Nagy
Travis Andrews
JOB POSTINGS
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.
Safety Coordinator - Sautter Crane Rentals
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.
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
