NSC offers simple steps to help protect workers and strengthen businesses.
By Paige DeBaylo, Director of the MSD Solutions Lab at NSC, and Kenna Stanley, research manager with the Work to Zero initiative at NSC
In the United States, a worker is injured every 7 seconds. In the private sector alone, more than 6,800 workers were injured per day in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These numbers represent real people, families and teams impacted by workplace injuries every day.
For small businesses, these risks can feel especially personal. Without the same resources as larger organizations, small employers often face significant safety challenges with less room for error. A single workplace incident can disrupt operations, impact morale and create financial strain. Beyond the physical toll, the costs add up: In 2023, the average cost per medically consulted injury was $43,000, while the cost per workplace death reached nearly $1.5 million.
That’s why the National Safety Council is working alongside employers to improve workplace safety through solutions that are both practical and accessible. For small businesses, effective safety interventions don’t have to be complicated or costly — they just need to be intentional, targeted and sustainable.
Two of the most common and preventable workplace safety concerns are musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and serious incidents and fatalities (SIFs).
MSDs — such as strains and sprains caused by lifting, repetitive motion or awkward postures — are a leading cause of worker disability. At the same time, hazards like falls, struck-by incidents and vehicle-related events can lead to severe or even fatal outcomes. By focusing on these risks first, small businesses can make improvements where they matter most.
The MSD Solutions Lab’s Small Business Safety Guide offers simple, effective ways to reduce strain and prevent injuries in everyday tasks — many of which require little to no investment. Small businesses can also explore real-world examples through the MSD Solutions Commons to see how others are addressing similar challenges.
Small changes can make a big difference: adjusting workstations to better fit employees, rotating tasks to reduce repetitive motion and using basic tools to assist with lifting. Just as important is creating a workplace where employees feel comfortable speaking up before discomfort turns into injury.
By taking a proactive approach to ergonomics, small businesses can reduce injuries while also supporting productivity and overall wellbeing.
Technology is becoming an increasingly powerful tool for preventing serious injuries, and it’s more accessible than many small businesses realize. The Work to Zero Small Business Guide to Safety Technology outlines a clear, five-step roadmap to help employers get started:
This step-by-step approach helps employers make informed decisions and invest in tools that deliver meaningful safety improvements without unnecessary complexity.
Tools and technology are important, but people are at the center of every safe workplace. When safety is part of everyday conversations — and when leaders and employees work together to identify and address risks — it becomes part of how work gets done.
For small businesses, that close connection between teams can be a real strength. When employees feel heard and supported, they’re more likely to speak up, look out for one another and take an active role in staying safe.
Improving workplace safety doesn’t require a large budget. It starts with small, intentional steps that focus on preventing injuries before they happen.
This National Small Business Month, take the next step toward a safer workplace by visiting nsc.org/msd and nsc.org/worktozero to find practical tools and guidance that help protect your employees every day — and keep your business strong.
With a century-long legacy, the National Safety Council is a global center for safety expertise. Let's work together to align resources. We look forward to learning about ways we can join efforts to expand safety everywhere!
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