Distinguished Service to Safety Award

NSC Distinguished Service to Safety Award, the most prestigious award given to individuals by the National Safety Council, celebrated its 77th anniversary in 2019. The award recognizes outstanding service and contributions to the field of safety.

Candidates are nominated by the general public and NSC members, and reviewed by NSC Division committees.

The 2019 winners were celebrated at the NSC Congress & Expo Sept. 8 min San Diego. Candidates for 2020 will be accepted through March 27, 2020, and will be celebrated at the 2020 NSC Congress & Expo in Indianapolis.

Candidates must have had a sustained impact on the safety movement at the local, national or international level that resulted in increased injury prevention. This may also include advancement of safety theory and research. Learn more here.

Meet the 2019 Distinguished Service to Safety Award Winners

The 2019 Distinguished Service to Safety Award winners are:

• Michael Lee Ballard, deputy chief, air force occupational safety, United States Air Force
• Darryl C. Hill, PhD., CSP, senior vice president, safety, FirstGroup America
• Travis M. Parsons, associate director of occupational safety and health, Laborers' Health and Safety Fund of North America
• Douglas C. Pontsler, chairman and managing director, COVE: Center of Visual Expertise
• James M. Sievert, president/senior trainer, Sievert Safety Training LLC and NSCNNE
• Donald D. Taylor, global health and safety, medical manager, Nexteer Automotive

History of the DSSA

The first Distinguished Service to Safety Award was presented in 1942 to recognize individuals and companies who significantly supported U.S. workers during World War II by reducing occupational injuries. The award was restructured into four levels in 1951, and then reinstated in April 1954 as the highest Council award to individuals. The Distinguished Service to Safety Award is presented annually at the opening session of NSC Congress & Expo.