With millions working through the holiday rush, NSC offers tools and resources to help everyone make it home safely.
As families gather and shoppers search for deals, Thanksgiving and Black Friday mark one of the busiest — and most demanding — times of year for millions of workers. From retail and warehouse associates to delivery personnel, these employees keep the season moving. The National Safety Council urges employers to keep worker safety at the center of their operations this holiday season — and all year long.
While consumers focus on holiday sales, those behind the scenes face long hours, high demand and increased injury risk. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common workplace injury. They are painful, costly and often preventable ailments caused by repetitive motion, awkward postures and overexertion.
According to the NSC MSD Solutions Lab, workers in the retail industry have long been plagued by MSDs. These injuries cost tens of thousands of dollars per incident and amount to billions in economic losses annually. Despite some declining injury trends — which may be attributed to the rise in online shopping — MSDs remain a persistent and preventable challenge for retail employers.
Through research, innovation and collaboration with leading employers, the MSD Solutions Lab helps organizations recognize and mitigate risks, test new technology and share data-driven practices to protect workers and improve productivity.
In addition to addressing common injuries, NSC is advancing technology to eliminate workplace deaths and serious injuries through its Work to Zero initiative. The program helps employers identify and implement safety technologies — such as proximity sensors, wearables and monitoring systems — that can prevent the most devastating incidents.
As warehouses and retail operations scale up during the holidays, Work to Zero provides practical guidance for leaders to invest in proven technology solutions that protect their people.
Safety goes beyond physical wellbeing. The NSC Workplace Wellbeing Hub focuses on building healthy workplaces that manage wellbeing-related risk, which is especially important as stress and fatigue rise during peak seasons. NSC encourages employers to support workers with clear communication, adequate rest and access to mental health resources, helping reduce burnout and improve safety performance.
Safety also depends on preparedness. Through the Respond Ready Workplace program, NSC helps employers prepare for medical emergencies — including opioid overdoses — by supporting access to naloxone, training employees to use it and advocating for policies that make every workplace safer and more prepared to save lives.
As the holiday season unfolds, NSC reminds employers and workers alike that safety is a shared responsibility. By preventing injuries, embracing new technology and supporting worker wellbeing, employers can help ensure that everyone — from the workplace to anyplace — makes it home safely this Thanksgiving and Black Friday.
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!
There are no items in your cart