NSC marks observance by advancing innovation and strengthening safety cultures to reduce risks and save lives.
In 2024, more than 5,000 workers in the United States lost their lives on the job, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. That’s about 14 parents, partners, friends and coworkers each day who never made it home.
These tragedies are preventable, yet they continue to occur in workplaces across the country. That’s why every year on April 28, the National Safety Council joins organizations nationwide in observing Workers’ Memorial Day – a solemn occasion that honors those who have died on the job while renewing our commitment to preventing future tragedies.
Preventing workplace deaths and injuries requires solutions. At NSC, we are focused on identifying risks, advancing innovation and helping employers take action to protect workers.
Through Work to Zero, we bring together safety leaders, researchers and technology developers to pursue an ambitious goal: eliminating workplace fatalities. Work to Zero examines how emerging technologies – such as wearable sensors, proximity detection systems and advanced data analytics – can help organizations identify hazards earlier and prevent serious incidents before they occur.
The MSD Solutions Lab is focused on another major challenge, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which remain one of the most common and costly workplace injuries across industries. By partnering with employers, researchers and innovators, the Lab works to identify practical solutions that reduce these injuries through improved ergonomics, workplace design and new technologies.
NSC also recognizes that worker safety is closely connected to overall wellbeing. Fatigue, mental health challenges and other health factors can increase the risk of workplace incidents. The Workplace Wellbeing Hub offers actionable, evidence-informed tools and resources to help organizations address these risks and build safer, healthier workforces.
Together, these efforts show that with the right data, tools and leadership, many workplace tragedies can be prevented.
Workers’ Memorial Day is a time to reflect and re-commit to safety.
NSC offers several ways individuals and organizations can take action to help prevent workplace injuries and fatalities:
These steps can help transform remembrance into meaningful progress.
Workers’ Memorial Day reminds us of the human cost of unsafe work – and the opportunity and responsibility we have to prevent future tragedies.
By investing in innovation, prioritizing worker wellbeing and strengthening safety cultures, organizations can reduce risks and protect lives. This April 28, let’s remember those we’ve lost and take action to help build a future where every worker returns home safely.
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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