Lorraine Martin
President
NSC
The role and impact of the safety profession in society
At its core, the safety profession is dedicated to preventing accidents, injuries, and illnesses in the workplace and broader community. Here are key roles and impacts of the safety profession:
1. Workplace Safety and Health
Safety professionals develop, implement, and monitor safety policies, procedures, and standards to reduce the risk of accidents, injuries, and illnesses in the workplace. This includes everything from hazard identification to emergency response planning and ensuring compliance with regulations.
By fostering a culture of safety, these professionals prevent workplace incidents, improve productivity, and reduce costs related to injuries, sick leave, and legal liabilities.
2. Public Health and Well-being
Safety professionals influence public health by identifying and mitigating risks in environments beyond the workplace, such as public spaces, transportation systems, and residential areas.
They contribute to the overall health and well-being of society by preventing accidents and harmful exposures that could lead to injuries, diseases, or fatalities. This can include safety measures related to food safety, environmental hazards, and public infrastructure.
3. Advancing Safety Culture
Safety professionals help organizations, industries, and communities foster a culture of safety, where safe practices are a priority, and risk awareness is part of daily life.
A strong safety culture leads to fewer accidents, better employee morale, and greater trust between the workforce and management. This mindset often permeates beyond the workplace, influencing individuals’ behaviors at home and in their communities.
4. Economic Impact
By reducing workplace accidents and ensuring compliance with safety regulations, safety professionals help businesses avoid costly fines, legal issues, and compensations related to accidents.
The economic impact of a strong safety program can be significant. Fewer workplace accidents translate to reduced medical costs, increased productivity, and improved employee retention, benefiting both companies and the broader economy.
5. Ethical Leadership and Corporate Responsibility
Safety professionals often serve as ethical leaders within organizations, advocating for the protection of employees’ health and well-being. They encourage corporate responsibility by integrating safety into organizational values.
This leadership enhances the reputation of businesses that prioritize worker safety and can attract talent, investors, and customers who value corporate responsibility and ethical behavior.
6. Regulatory Compliance and Governance
Safety professionals ensure organizations comply with safety laws and regulations, helping businesses navigate complex regulatory landscapes.
Compliance reduces legal risks, prevents workplace accidents, and ensures that organizations meet industry and governmental safety standards. This is essential for maintaining operational licenses and avoiding fines or legal action.
7. Technological and Environmental Sustainability
Safety professionals contribute to technological innovations by ensuring that new systems, products, and processes are designed with safety in mind. They also play a role in environmental sustainability efforts, helping manage hazardous materials and reduce environmental risks.
Their work supports sustainable development goals by minimizing the negative environmental impact of industrial activities, improving waste management, and promoting the safe use of technologies.
8. Crisis Management and Resilience
In times of crisis—such as natural disasters, pandemics, or industrial accidents—safety professionals are critical in managing the response and ensuring the safety of individuals and infrastructure.
Their planning and intervention during crises help prevent the loss of life, mitigate damages, and speed up recovery efforts. This builds resilience in organizations and communities, enabling them to better withstand future crises.
Overall, safety professionals play a vital role in protecting lives, enhancing the well-being of individuals, and promoting organizational and societal resilience. Their contributions reach beyond immediate safety measures, fostering healthier, more sustainable communities and economies.
Lorraine Martin is the president and CEO of the National Safety Council, America’s leading nonprofit safety advocate with a century-long legacy of eliminating preventable deaths and injuries in our workplaces and on our roadways.
Martin began her career as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. From there, she deepened her aerospace expertise as an executive at Lockheed Martin, where she led the largest defense aircraft program in history: the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter.
Throughout her 35-year career in aerospace, she made safety a top value. And as leader of the National Safety Council for the last five years, she is passionate about helping people live their fullest lives, from the workplace to anyplace.