November has been an exciting and busy month so far! The November chapter event was a tour of the Virginia Beach Fire Department training facility. Thanks again to our hosts for having us and teaching us about how they train recruits to work safely in a variety of hazardous environments.

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Go Tides! On August 5th, our chapter hosted our annual baseball social with over 60 people in attendance including ASSP Society President Jim Thornton and some members from the ASSP Colonial Chapter. In addition, we raised over $2K in sponsorships to help continue our outreach efforts with our members and in the community. Another special shout out to our sponsors – APEX Case Management, Concentra, Patient First, My Rehab Consultants, Belfor Restoration and Drip Drop. Thank you for joining us and if we missed you, plan to attend next year. It is one of the highlights of our year and a great opportunity to see old friends, network and watch some great baseball.

Some of our ASSP Greater Tidewater Chapter Executive Committee with ASSP Society President Jim Thornton

Guy Butts, Jon Lehman, Steve LePock, Jim Thornton, Ali LePock, Scott Kalis

Two of our ODU students we are sponsoring to attend the ASSP Region VI PDC this year!
Emily Meserole and Jenna Horner

A beautiful afternoon and a lovely view

Everyone had a great time! Kristina Knapik, Mark Butler, Jim Thornton, Rick Buck, Nancy McWilliams

For more photos, check out our google drive :

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1l1XJjpW5L0QjB6KNK4_fY1p6Nw_FRzpd?usp=sharing

Please join us in congratulating Jim Thornton on the amazing accomplishment of his upcoming Presidency with the American Society of Safety Professionals. Please take time to read about Jim’s journey through his career and life.

Jim, we wish you all the best in your presidency with ASSP! 

For the link to the OSHA website, please follow: US Department of Labor announces national emphasis program to reduce, prevent workplace falls, a leading cause of workplace fatalities | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov)

U.S. Department of Labor

May 1, 2023

US Department of Labor announces national emphasis program to reduce,
prevent workplace falls, a leading cause of workplace fatalities

OSHA initiative aligns enforcement, outreach efforts to protect workers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration has begun a National Emphasis Program to prevent falls, the leading cause of fatal workplace injuries and the violation the agency cites most frequently in construction industry inspections.

The emphasis program will focus on reducing fall-related injuries and fatalities for people working at heights in all industries. The targeted enforcement program is based on historical Bureau of Labor Statistics data and OSHA enforcement history. BLS data shows that of the 5,190 fatal workplace injuries in 2021, 680 were associated with falls from elevations, about 13 percent of all deaths.

“This national emphasis program aligns all of OSHA’s fall protection resources to combat one of the most preventable and significant causes of workplace fatalities,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “We’re launching this program in concert with the 10th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction and the industry’s Safety Week. Working together, OSHA and employers in all industries can make lasting changes to improve worker safety and save lives.”

The program establishes guidance for locating and inspecting fall hazards and allows OSHA compliance safety and health officers to open inspections whenever they observe someone working at heights. An outreach component of the program will focus on educating employers about effective ways to keep their workers safe. If a compliance officer determines an inspection is not necessary after entering a worksite and observing work activities, they will provide outreach on fall protection and leave the site.

Learn more about federally required fall protection.

Learn more about OSHA.

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Media Contacts:

Victoria Godinez, 202-693-4667, godinez.victoria.c@dol.gov  
Mandy McClure, 202-693-4675, mcclure.amanda.c@dol.gov

Release Number:  23-843-NAT

Our very own Greater Tidewater Chapter President, Ali Lepock was recently featured on the Environmental Health Sciences Program blog. Go read about her career, initiatives, and passion Way to go Ali!

To see the feature, check out the link at: https://sites.ecu.edu/ehsprogram/2023/03/03/featured-bseh-alumna-alexandria-lepock/