What is the National Safety Council?

The world can be a dangerous place. It doesn’t matter if you’re at work, at home, driving to and from, or in a public space – we’re often surrounded by danger, even in the safest of places. Just look at the United States alone, where more than 62 million injuries and 225,000 preventable deaths were reported in 2021.

With injuries and deaths steadily rising, the need for public safety protocols, procedures, standards, and awareness has never been higher. Considering how preventable most injuries and deaths are, we should be doing anything and everything we possibly can to ensure a safe environment for everyone to thrive in.

The good news is there are dozens of health and safety organizations – like the National Safety Council (NSC) – that work together on a daily basis to make the United States, and the world at large, a safer place. It’s important that we not only understand, but appreciate all that these organizations do for us.

What Does the National Safety Council Do?

The NSC is a mission-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, member-driven, public service organization that was established in 1913. Their primary goal is to make the world a safer place by preventing injuries and deaths in some of the most at-risk areas – primarily including the workplace, home, and community.

Here are some of the responsibilities of the National Safety Council:

• Reduce the number of injuries and deaths on the road (roadway safety)
• Reduce the number of injuries and deaths at home (home safety)
• Reduce the number of injuries and deaths at work (workplace safety)
• Reduce the number of injuries and deaths in the community (community safety)
• Offers defensive driving courses, fleet safety training, teen driving programs, and more
• Offers first aid training
• Standardizes best practices for occupational safety and health

The National Safety Council operates under four core values – Be Safe, Be Bold, Be Impactful, and Be NSC. As the country’s leading nonprofit safety advocate, the NSC dreams of a world where people everywhere can live a happy, healthy, and rewarding lifestyle without the added risk of injury or death.

Workplace Safety

More than 2.8 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses were reported in the workplace in 2022 – which is up 7.5% from the year before. And, while the Bureau of Labor Statistics has yet to release 2022 numbers, there were 5,190 fatal work-related injuries reported in 2021 – which was up 8.9% from the year before.

The National Safety Council is committed to providing companies with the resources needed to ensure a safe environment for their employees. They offer workplace safety training, are committed to their ‘Work to Zero’ initiative, and train more than 500,000 First Aid responders every single year – they’re doing it all!

Here are some practical workplace safety tips you can adopt today:

• Make sure you’re using tools and equipment properly
• Report unsafe work conditions immediately
• Make sure you’re wearing safety gear and PPE whenever necessary
• Maintain a clean, organized, and clutter-free area to keep employees safe
• Don’t be afraid to take a break if your body needs it
• Always practice safe posture when lifting heavy items
• Always keep one eye open and be aware of your surroundings

Some of the most common workplace injuries include slips and falls (leading cause), strains, cuts, repetitive use injuries, collisions, and crashes. Some of the most dangerous and at-risk industries include construction, education and health services, agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, transportation, and warehousing.

Roadway Safety

More than 5.4 million medically-consulted injuries in motor vehicle incidents occurred in 2021 (up 11% from 2020 after an 8.3% increase the year prior). Not only that, but another 47,000 drivers and/or passengers died as a result of more than 43,000 car crashes in 2021 – most of which came in October.

The National Safety Council started the ‘Road to Zero Coalition’ with the goal of eliminating all fatalities and driving concern on the road by 2050 – training more than 75 million drivers around the world (both online and in-person). The NSC also founded the ‘Check to Protect’ coalition, as well as the National Child Passenger Safety Board.

Here are some practical roadway safety tips you can adopt today:

• Always make sure you and your passengers are wearing a seatbelt
• Never get behind the wheel if you’re impaired (even if you’re sleepy!)
• Avoid distractions, such as music, food, drinks, and cell phones, while driving
• Try to avoid aggressive driving and stay calm when behind the wheel
• Use cameras and similar technologies to provide features that weren't available before
• Make sure children are properly buckled up and not moving around the backseat
• Be extra mindful of deer when it’s hunting season

Some of the most common roadway injuries include whiplash, back and spinal cord injuries, head and/or brain injuries, bone fractures, psychological injuries, and burns. The most common causes of car crashes include distracted drivers, drowsy drivers, vehicle problems, speeding, aggressive driving, and DUIs.

Home & Community Safety

There were more than 52.5 million medically-consulted injuries and more than 175,500 injury-related deaths reported in homes and communities in 2021 – deaths have increased 96% over the past decade. The death rate per 100,000 population was 52.9% – an increase of 12.2% from the previous year.

The National Safety Council was originally founded on the principles of workplace and roadway safety, but it has since adopted a commitment to home and community safety – which is a good thing since most injuries and deaths happen off the job and away from the roads. Safety should be promoted everywhere!

Here are some practical home and community safety tips you can adopt today:

• Report any suspicious activity immediately
• Introduce yourself to your neighbors and neighborhood
• Improve your home’s security system
• Keep your home and neighborhood clean
• Always have an emergency exit plan

Some of the most common injuries that happen in the home are due to poisoning, drug overdose, falls, choking, drowning, fire flames, smoke, or mechanical suffocation. You can better protect yourself, your family, your neighbors, and your fellow community members by utilizing the NSC’s tools and resources.

Workplace, Roadway, & Community Safety at ADA Central

At ADA Central, our goals and values fall in line with those of the National Safety Council. We might be just a sign company to some people, but our commitment to ensuring companies follow ADA standards and regulations is helping keep the workplace, roadway, and community a safe environment for all.

If your company is struggling to comply with ADA requirements, then we can help. Our sales experts are helpful, knowledgeable, and ready to help you meet the demands of the American Disabilities Act, ensuring your business is an inclusive and safe space for employees, customers, guests, and more! Contact us to learn more about our payment services.