National Safety Council (NSC)

The National Safety Council (NSC) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring the number of preventable deaths in the United States down to zero. These deaths occur in communities and homes, on the road, and at work. Preventable deaths are the third leading cause of death in the country. In 2017, there were more than 4,414 occupational injury-related deaths that were preventable, and within that year, avoidable injuries and fatalities accrued costs over $161 billion.

The National Safety Council has been a leading safety advocate for 100 years and provides advocacy, education, leadership, and research to the public. It works with government agencies and businesses to promote three main safety categories: home/community safety, road safety, and work safety. Within these, the Council addresses first aid training, worker safety, child passenger and teen driving safety, distracted driving awareness, automotive technology advancements, drug misuse and overdose, and worker safety. The organization also maintains and promotes its public education campaign, Stop Everyday Killers, which emphasizes how to avoid preventable deaths.

For years the NSC has been a credible source of resources and information for occupational safety. It has additionally maintained an Alliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to prevent workplace injuries/fatalities and help save lives. This Alliance was established in 2003 and recently renewed in 2014. Together, OSHA and NSC develop best-practice documents and compliance assistance tools, participate in occupational safety forums, and address safety issues within general industry. The Council also supports OSHA’s annual Safe+Sound week and promotes June as National Safety month.

Businesses have the opportunity to become National Safety Council members and receive workplace training as well as consulting services. The Council offers a variety of resources and awards, including:

• NSC Workplace 360, which helps organizations advance from safety compliance to incorporating best practices
• An advanced safety certificate
• The NSC Congress & Expo, the largest annual gathering in the world for safety professionals
• The Robert W. Campbell Award
• Individual awards for Distinguished Service to Safety
• Green Cross for Safety award for safety advocacy, innovation, and excellence

While we still have a ways to go when it comes to completely reducing preventable occupational fatalities, the National Safety Council and its effort toward the safety movement has achieved great progress. Over the years, hazards have been prevented through the execution of better design, working conditions have improved, and accountability has increased.