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Policy Statement Listing

The National Safety Council has stood up for safety since 1913. We continue to advocate for safety with more than one hundred current policy statements.
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Category # Description Policy File
Transportation
#181
Equity in Roadway Safety

The policy position supersedes #165. NSC initially passed Equity in Transportation policy position in 2021. Since then, more research and resources have been developed on this topic. NSC addresses disparities and inequities in road safety to create a safer, more equitable transportation system.

Full Policy

Transportation
#180
Vehicle Safety Recalls

Supports enhanced efforts to increase awareness surrounding vehicle safety recalls, boost completion of repairs and include checking for safety recalls as part of routine vehicle maintenance.

Full Policy

Workplace
#179
Young Worker Safety

Supports the FLSA-established general working age of 16 years for nonhazardous occupations and 18 years of age for hazardous occupations.

Full Policy

Transportation
#178
Safe System Approach

The National Safety Council supports the adoption and implementation of the Safe System approach to road safety in local, state, federal, and private sector transportation policies, programs and strategies.

Full Policy

General Policy
#177
Research and Data Collection

The policy position supersedes #137. The National Safety Council initially passed policy position #137 (Research and Data Collection) in 2017. Since then, evidence is clear of disproportionate negative safety and health burden on minority racial, ethnic and other demographic groups, and additions reflect the need for better data to understand and create solutions for improved outcomes.

Full Policy

Transportation
#176
Drug and Alcohol Impaired Driving

Updated and enhanced policy on impaired driving that reflects the variety of interventions, data and information available to save lives on the road.

Full Policy

Workplace
#175
Connecting Sustainability with Workplace Safety and Health

Supports integration of workplace safety and health into sustainability management systems and planning.

Full Policy

Workplace
#174
Infections Pathogen Standard and Countermeasures

Outlines steps to mitigate the impact of outbreaks of infectious pathogens and urges OSHA to move forward with a risk-based infectious pathogens standard to combat biological pathogens in the workplace.

Full Policy

Workplace
#173
Extreme Temperatures

Calls for employer, government and researcher action to prevent and mitigate heat- and cold-related illnesses, injuries and exposures.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#172
Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery

Supports the use of evidence-based treatment for substance and opioid use disorders; calls for policymakers to increase treatment access. Replaces policy #118.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#171
Naloxone

Supports modifying laws to increase access to and administration of naloxone to reverse opioid overdose. Replaces policy #116.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#170
Prevention, Education and Public Awareness

Supports expanding interventions and practices to prevent the misuse of drugs and substance use disorders. Replaces policy #122.

Full Policy

Workplace
#169
Opioids and Employers

Recommends employers utilize a comprehensive approach to address opioid abuse in the workplace.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#168
Safe Firearms

Recommends a number of actions for policymakers, interest groups, employers and individuals to take to help prevent fatal and non-fatal firearm incidents. Supersedes Safe Firearms Policy #139.

Full Policy

Workplace
#167
COVID-19 Pandemic Vaccines

Urges employers to implement a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for their workers based on the risk of transmission.

Full Policy

Transportation
#166
Distraction on the Roadways

Supports laws banning use of electronic devices while driving, policies that prohibit distracted driving in all workplaces and more.

Full Policy

Transportation
#165
Equity in Transportation

NSC is compelled to address systemic disparities and inequities in road safety to create a safer, more equitable transportation system. NSC will use its platform to promote safety for all and make equity a priority nationally, as well as within its own organizational culture.

Full Policy

Workplace
#164
Mental Health Prevention and Treatment

Supports actions by lawmakers, employers and other organizations to prioritize mental health prevention and increase access to treatment.

Full Policy

Workplace
#163
Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace

Supports actions by stakeholders on the federal, state and local levels to advance initiatives that support mental health as part of overall health.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#162
Medicaid Support for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

Supports states adopting Medicaid expansion and opposes cuts to the Medicaid program.

Full Policy

COVID-19
#161
Contact Tracing

Urges all employers to, in conjunction with public health officials, participate in contact tracing in the workplace to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Full Policy

Workplace
#161
Contact Tracing

Urges all employers to participate in contact tracing in the workplace to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Full Policy

COVID-19
#160
OSHA Regulatory Authority during the Coronavirus Pandemic

Urges OSHA to issue a temporary emergency standard to protect workers from occupational exposure to COVID-19.

Full Policy

Workplace
#160
OSHA Regulatory Authority During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Urges OSHA to issue a temporary emergency standard to protect workers from occupational exposure to COVID-19.

Full Policy

COVID-19
#159
COVID-19 Testing

Supports use of COVID-19 testing by businesses to help ensure worker safety and health, including symptom and temperature screenings, and sharing positive coronavirus test results with public health authorities.

Full Policy

Workplace
#159
COVID-19 Testing

Supports the use of COVID-19 testing mechanisms by businesses to help ensure worker safety and health and stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Full Policy

Transportation
#158
Focusing License Suspension on Roadway Safety Offenses

Drivers' licenses are being suspended for a growing number of non-moving violations, including failure to pay child support or fines. This policy supports suspending driving privileges only for roadway and traffic safety-related behaviors to restore the focus on safety and more accurately reflect state challenges related to risky driving behaviors.

Full Policy

Workplace
#157
Workforce Drug Testing

Supports employers’ rights to drug test workers as a condition of employment, during employment in reasonable suspicion-based or post-incident circumstances, and/or in random drug-testing programs.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#156
Appropriate Labeling of Cannabis- and Marijuana-derived Products

Supports explicit, clear, detailed labeling for all cannabis-derived products that contain THC, CBD and products marketed as "synthetic marijuana" to prevent misuse.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#155
Zero Tolerance Recreational Cannabis User Under Age 21

Supports a zero tolerance of recreational cannabis use by individuals under the age of 21.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#154
Specialized Court Programs

Supports the use of specialized courts to divert non-violent and low-level offenders from the criminal court system.

Full Policy

Workplace
#153
Cannabis Impairment in Safety Sensitive Positions

Supports policies to mitigate and eliminate the risks of cannabis (marijuana) and other products containing delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Full Policy

Workplace
#152
Contractor Management

Encourages host employers to establish policies and programs outlining their processes for vetting and managing contractor, supplier and vendor safety before permitting work to proceed on host property.

Full Policy

General Policy
#151
Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems

Supports policies aimed at reducing the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems, with a particular emphasis on policies that restrict -cigarette use by teenagers.

Full Policy

General Policy
#150
Tobacco

Supports efforts to reduce and eliminate tobacco consumption in the United States.

Full Policy

Transportation
#148
Speeding

Supports speed setting standards in the U.S. based on the Safe Systems approach to prioritize safety for all roadway users.

Full Policy

Transportation
#147
Vulnerable Road Users

Supports transportation policies that incorporate practices – such as improvements to infrastructure, universal helmet laws and lower speed limits – to protect pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists.

Full Policy

Workplace
#146
Hearing Protection

Supports the adoption of more protective noise level regulations to prevent hearing loss, including updating the 35 year-old Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit.

Full Policy

Workplace
#145
Fatigue Risk Management Systems

Supports comprehensive, science-based fatigue risk management systems in the workplace to reduce risk of fatigue-related incident and injury.

Full Policy

Workplace
#144
Fatigue Education

Supports sleep health education and sleep disorder screening through wellbeing programs.

Full Policy

Transportation
#143
Drowsy Driving

Supports the implementation of effective countermeasures and policies to reduce fatigue risks on the road for commercial and passenger vehicle drivers.

Full Policy

Transportation
#142
Drug Recognition Experts

Increase involvement in the area of drug-impaired driving, enabling NSC to become a leader on driving safety and impairment as states continue the trend of decriminalizing marijuana, over-the-counter and prescription drug use increases, and illegal drug use increases.

Full Policy

Workplace
#141
Adoption of Safety Regulations and Recommended Practices for State and Local Government Workers

Supports the right of state and local government employees to have the same baseline protections provided to their private sector counterpart, which, at a minimum, meet federal OSHA standards.

Full Policy

Workplace
#140
Substance-free Workplace

Supports the right of employers to maintain a workplace free of all forms of impairment, regardless of the legal status of the impairing substance, and encourages all employers to develop written policies and procedures to address this critical safety issue.

Full Policy

Workplace
#138
Safe Patient Handling

Encourages the federal government, states and territories to adopt best practices for safe patient handling covering all medical professionals whether working in a fixed or mobility facility or vehicle.

Full Policy

General Policy
#136
Mental Health Parity

Supports mental health parity so coverage, payment and treatment for mental health conditions and substance use disorders are equal to that of other chronic and acute health conditions.

Full Policy

General Policy
#135
Traumatic Brain Injury

Supports the National Concussion Surveillance System, developed by the CDC, to better understand the scope and severity of traumatic brain injury and provide insight for more effective prevention and treatment methods.

Full Policy

Transportation
#134
Graduated Driver Licensing

Encourages states to adopt best-practice GDL systems that meet a minimum criteria.

Full Policy

Transportation
#133
Automotive Safety Technology

Supports mandatory or voluntary adoption of new automotive safety technologies in vehicles to help reduce crashes and supports education programs to ensure drivers know how to use these safety technologies.

Full Policy

Workplace
#132
Process Safety Management

Supports a comprehensive approach that recognizes the need for key stakeholders to partner to ensure sustained progress in the improvement of process safety management.

Full Policy

Workplace
#131
Near Miss and Hazard Reporting

Implementing a near-miss and hazard reporting system can help prevent more serious incidents and should be supported by employers and employees.

Full Policy

Transportation
#130
Low Alcohol Concentration National Culture Change

Supports a national campaign to inform Americans that impairment begins with the first drink. Also supports states' efforts to lower the legal blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers.

Full Policy

Transportation
#129
Child Passenger Restraints

Supports mandatory use of properly secured, positioned and tested child restraints in motor vehicles and in airplanes for all children who do not correctly fit in seat belts. Also supports incorporation of lap and shoulder belts into school buses.

Full Policy

Workplace
#128
Oral Fluid Drug Testing

Supports the collection and testing of oral fluid specimens as an acceptable method for workplace drug testing.

Full Policy

Transportation
#127
Minimum Licensure Age for CMV Drivers

Supports requirement for interstate commercial motor vehicle drivers to be at least 21 years old.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#126
Requiring Prescriber Education as Part of the DEA CSA Registration

Recommends the DEA require continuing medical education for prescribers who register with them under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.

Full Policy

Workplace
#125
Occupational Illness

Recommends employers take a number of steps to reduce the risk of occupational illness.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#124
Rx Funding: Federal Government Action to Address Prescription Drug Overdose

Supports reasonable actions by the federal government to address the growing rate of prescription drug overdoses throughout the country.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#123
State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs

Supports the work of state pharmacy boards, substance abuse agencies, health department and other entities that administer the states' prescriptiong drug monitoring programs, and the continued efforts to link all states' information into a national database accessible to all prescribers.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#121
Prescribing Guidelines Based on Best Practices

Supports physicians and dental groups that take into consideration the risks of opiod use and the benefits of non-opioid treatments when developing guidelines to treat acute and chronic pain.

Full Policy

General Policy
#120
Pain Clinic Regulations

Supports states' efforts to deter the operation of "pain clinics" operating outside guidelines for licensed physicians and whose primary treatment is prescribing opioids.

Full Policy

Workplace
#117
Drug Testing for Opioids in the Workplace

Recommends at a minimum benzodiazepines, opiates, oxycodone, methadone, cocaine, amphetamines and THC are included in employer drug testing programs.

Full Policy

Workplace
#114
NIOSH Funding

Supports adequate, stable annual funding for NIOSH (including AgFF and ERC).

Full Policy

Workplace
#113
OSHA Funding

Supports adequate, stable funding for OSHA, including compliance assistance, regulation and enforcement; encourages performance-based fundamentals with improved measurement of effectiveness.

Full Policy

Workplace
#112
Voluntary Protection Programs

Supports adequate funding for VPP. Continued exemption from programmatic visits, oppositon to fee for participation.

Full Policy

Workplace
#111
Safety Management Systems

Encourages companies to adopt comprehensive safety management systems. Lays out specifics of NSC model SMS, including leadership, technical and cultural elements.

Full Policy

Transportation
#109
Cell Phone and Text Messaging Restrictions

Recognizes cognitive distraction, recommends states pass laws banning handheld and hands-free phone usage; recommends employer policies and employee education; calls on scientific, traffic safety and law enforcement community for continuous improvement.

Full Policy

Transportation
#108
Confirmation of Positive Drug Screen Results in Transportation Safety Cases

All positive results in transporation accidents should be confirmed by alternate method prior to issuing report; no reporting of presumptive positive results.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#107
E-Codes

Supports the use of external cause of injury codes (e-codes) as a tool for capturing off-the-job injury data.

Full Policy

Transportation
#106
Ignition Interlocks

Supports all-offender interlock laws.

Full Policy

Transportation
#104
Support of Automated Enforcement

Supports use of automated enforcement (cameras) for red lights and speed limits; communities should evaluate and improve effectiveness.

Full Policy

General Policy
#98
Safety, Health and Environmental Research, Outreach, Training and Compliance Assistance

Allows NSC to seek Congressional funding for research, outreach, training and compliance assistance.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#97
NOAA Funding

Supports implementation of a national NOAA weather radio service and early warning flood prediction program.

Full Policy

Workplace
#96
OSHA Adoption of the NFPA 2000 Standard

NSC supports the efforts of the NFPS and other electrical industry organizations to adopt and promulgate NFPA 70E.

Full Policy

Workplace
#95
Health and Safety Management Systems

NSC will participate in ANSI Z-10 committee on Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems.

Full Policy

Transportation
#92
Graduated Driver Licensing – Seat Belt Usage and Teenage Passenger Restrictions

Supports legislation and legislative initiatives that focus on mandatory seat-belt requirements and restrictions on other teenage passengers.

Full Policy

Transportation
#91
Occupant Protection

Supports strong, primary seatbelt laws.

Full Policy

Transportation
#90
Airbags and Restraint Use

Supports enhancement of airbag and seat belt safety campaigns.

Full Policy

Transportation
#89
DOT Regulations on "Clear Zones"

Supporting DOT use of "clear zone" areas, "side-slopes" and other devices to keep drivers on roadway.

Full Policy

General Policy
#88
National Safety Month Proclamation

Support for an official (presidential/Congressional) National Safety Month proclamation or resolution.

Full Policy

General Policy
#87
Funding for Safety Agenda for the Nation Issues

Seek funding to achieve goals of Safety Agenda for the Nation.

Full Policy

Workplace
#85
ANSI Z590: Establishing Levels of Competence

Supports efforts to enhance the safety profession, but skeptical of ANSI Z590 needs to be recognizing of various industry needs; recognize branches of safety industry; examine use of terminology. NSC will continue to participate in development.

Full Policy

Workplace
#83
Safety Education for Teacher Preparation Programs

Teacher trainees (K-12) should develop competencies in teaching safety education.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#82
Substance Abuse Education

Promotes substance abuse education in schools.

Full Policy

Workplace
#81
Workers' Memorial Day

NSC should recognize and promote Workers' Memorial Day April 28.

Full Policy

General Policy
#80
Acceptance and Use of Contributions

Lays out guidelines for accepting contributions, including clearly identifying funding source, assuring consistent contributor message with NSC values, reserve right for final approval of any programs or materials produced under the funding, assure no requirement to advocate or not advocate in such a way that is inconsistent with NSC policy/positions, inform and seek approval from Board of Directors for any contributions that would conflict with these or any other NSC value/policy/position.

Full Policy

Workplace
#79
Childhood Risks Involving Tractors

Urges agencies, manufacturers and professionals to identify ways to mitigate the danger of child injury incidents involving tractors; parents/guardians should prohibit children from riding or being in presence of tractors, and 4-H and other organizations should continue to promote same; studies should be conducted for more reliable data.

Full Policy

General Policy
#78
Guiding Principles for Highway Safety

Lays out ways in which NSC can support highway safety at both the federal and state level.

Full Policy

Workplace
#77
Guiding Principles for OSHA Reform

Outlines principles to ensure that OSHA will continue to make a measurable difference in workplace safety and health.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#75
Personal Flotation Devices for Children

Resolution: Use of personal flotation devices should be for children 12 years and younger.

Full Policy

Transportation
#72
Older Drivers

Supports promoting the mobility and safety of older drivers to ensure improved safety on the highways.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#70
Firearms and Children

Supports development of a uniform procedure for identifying, reporting and summarizing firearms accidents; urges industry to design safety features on weapons to prevent ready firing by children and untrained people; supports requirements for secure storage of weapons; "every person owning a firearm is responsible for safekeeping."

Full Policy

Home & Community
#69
Training of Child Care Providers in Safety and Health

Childhood education programs should include OSH; in-home child care providers should also require safety training; child care facility admins should establish training programs for staff; encourage funding to strengthen data on which to base safety and health decisions for children due to little available accident/illness data.

Full Policy

Workplace
#68
Weight Limits on Cargo Containers

Federal Maritime Commission should require cargo containers be stamped with actual weight, rather than standard weight, before departing ocean terminals.

Full Policy

Workplace
#67
Lightning Detection Systems for Airports

FAA should require lightning detection systems at all US airports to improve safety of air traffic and airport personnel; until then, supports voluntary installation by airports.

Full Policy

Transportation
#66
Citation Tracking System

Traffic citation files should be listed and displayed with accident files to provide more comprehensive computerized safety record-keeping system.

Full Policy

Transportation
#64
Construction and Work Zone Safety

Urges federally funded research program on work zone crashes, development of countermeasures, enforcement of regulations (federal and state) for work zone protection, adding "work zone" as uniform definition reporting data item on accident data.

Full Policy

Transportation
#62
Pedestrian Safety

Urges all governmental jurisdictions to adopt and conduct a comprehensive program for pedestrian safety.

Full Policy

Workplace
#61
Response Mechanism

Outlines a system for commenting to a federal body.

Full Policy

Transportation
#59
Highway Safety Program

Urges the Department of Transportation to adopt priorities, including an annual highway safety goal to lower mileage death rate and total fatalities, greater highway safety prominence in administrative agenda, increased research funding, continuation of certain programs, continued NHTSA standards and continued NHTSA research.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#57
Children's Acute Poisoning Prevention

Lengthy position statement on prevention and treatment measures for children's poisoning, including home preparation.

Full Policy

Transportation
#56
Utility Pole Hazards

Congress and state legislatures should establish methods for identifying potentially hazardous utility pole installations; take corrective action on current and future ones.

Full Policy

Transportation
#55
Immediate Automatic Driver's License Suspension

Jurisdictions should allow for administrative suspension/revocation of licenses following DUI arrest if refusing (or failing) testing; progressive penalties for repeat violations.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#54
Alcoholic Beverage Advertising

NSC staff should work with manufacturers and other parties to discourage ads promoting high-risk behavior, particularly among youth.

Full Policy

Transportation
#53
Motor Vehicle Advertising

NSC should work with auto manufacturers to discourage ads that promote excessive speed and other risky behavior.

Full Policy

Transportation
#52
Railroad Bridge Safety

Requests the NTSB conduct a study of the structural integrity of railroad bridges.

Full Policy

Transportation
#51
Motor Vehicle Risk to Employees

Urges OSHA to publicly announce intention to require OSH Act employers to require seat belt use by employees.

Full Policy

General Policy
#50
Traffic Control Devices

Support establishment of visibility-based performance standards for traffic control devices.

Full Policy

Transportation
#45
Radar Detection Devices

Federal government should ban CMV use of radar detectors; states should ban all use of radar detectors.

Full Policy

Workplace
#44
Smoking

Prohibits smoking at NSC headquarters and at NSC events.

Full Policy

Transportation
#43
Enforcement of Laws Aimed at Alcohol Impaired Driving

Includes enforcement specifics: all nighttime driving violations should be tested for alcohol with passive sensors, screen all drivers stopped at checkpoints, accountability and peformance measures for road checkpoints.

Full Policy

Transportation
#42
Sanctions for Drivers Convicted of Alcohol Impaired Driving

Sets out suggested penalties including license revocation for all offenders; elimination of mandatory severe penalties for first-time offenders (no jail time); assure swift adjudication; alcohol treatment should be in addition to, not in lieu of revocation and other penalties.

Full Policy

Transportation
#39
Speed Limited Motor Driven Cycles (MOPEDS)

States should adopt uniform definition and requirements for MOPEDS.

Full Policy

Workplace
#38
Employment of the Handicapped

Recognizes the inherent right of all citizens to the full development of their economic, social and personal potential regardless of their physical abilities.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#38
President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped

Reflects the Council's support of national efforts to help the handicapped utilizing public and private sector resources.

Full Policy

General Policy
#37
Furthering Voluntary Control of the Accident Problem by Business and Industry

Statement on furthering safety progress outside of additional government regulation.

Full Policy

Workplace
#36
Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act

Position statement on the proposed revision, safety and health standards, Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act.

Full Policy

Transportation
#32
Under 21 Drinking and Driving

Supports minimum drinking age of 21; supports federal sanctions for states not in compliance.

Full Policy

Transportation
#25
Extended Safety Belt Usage

Member organizations should require seatbelt use.

Full Policy

Transportation
#23
Automobile Passenger Restraint Systems

Urges seat belt use by all motor vehicle occupants, and that the use of seat belts be promoted by all safety organizations and all supporting organizations.

Full Policy

Transportation
#17
Motorcycle Helmets

Recommends all motorcycle riders wear approved helmets.

Full Policy

Transportation
#16
Highway Trust Fund

Adequate funds must exist to maintain and improve the nation’s highway system to achieve mobility with safety.

Full Policy

Transportation
#15
55 MPH National Speed Limit

Supports national 55mph speed limit.

Full Policy

Home & Community
#13
Use of Fireworks

The Council opposes the use of fireworks by both adults and children, except when by professionals in controlled conditions; expresses support for NFPA 494-L Model State Fireworks Law; supports federal enforcement of prohibition of mail-order fireworks; supports educational effots on danger of fireworks.

Full Policy

Workplace
#11
Voluntary Consensus Standards

Supports development and use of voluntary consensus standards concerned with safety, and occupational and environmental health.

Full Policy

General Policy
#10
NSC Trademark Use

Position on use of NSC "Green Cross for Safety" registered trademark.

Full Policy

General Policy
#8
Safety in Action

NSC Statement on "Safety in Action" describes need for, formation of and intent of Council.

Full Policy

General Policy
#6
Public Information

Lays out the Council's intent to provide accurate, accessible information on the size and severity of the "accident problem" and efforts to address it; restricts NSC from paying for safety advertising.

Full Policy

General Policy
#4
Federal Government Relationship

Lays out relationship of NSC to the federal government, including independence and lack of accepting subsidies (however, NSC can accept grant and contract work).

Full Policy

General Policy
#2
Credit Policy for State and Local Safety Organizations

Lays out consequences if conference members or councils have past-due balances.

Full Policy

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