HISTORY & CHARTER

About the National Safety Council

Mission. The National Safety Council, founded in 1913 in the Chicago, IL area, and chartered by the United States Congress in 1953, is the nation's leading advocate for safety and health. Our mission is "to educate and influence society to adopt safety, health and environmental policies, practices and procedures that prevent and mitigate human suffering and economic losses arising from preventable causes."

History. The National Safety Council has been working for generations to protect lives and promote health with innovative programs. The Council is a nonprofit,  non-governmental, international public service organization dedicated to improving the safety, health and environmental well-being of all people.

Unintentional injuries are the fifth leading cause of death in this country, and the leading cause of death for Americans under 45 years old. The Council believes that such incidents are not just random occurrences, but instead result from multiple conditions involving the interactions of machines and environments with people as they live, work, drive, and play. The Council views what some call "accidents" as unplanned, unwanted and nearly always preventable events.

Acknowledging the Council's first 40 years of operation as an Illinois nonprofit corporation, an Act of Congress on August 13, 1953, created the National Safety Council as a body incorporated under federal law. Public Law 259 of the 83rd Congress formally established the Council as a federally chartered organization. The Charter mandates that the National Safety Council be nonpolitical and not contribute to or otherwise assist any political party or candidate.

Organization.  Since 1913, the National Safety Council has served as the premier source of safety and health information in the United States. The Council started in the workplace -- in factories, warehouses, construction sites -- making businesses aware of ways to prevent unintentional injuries on the job. Subsequently, its efforts were expanded to include highway, community and recreation safety; and its mission now encompasses all major causes of preventable injuries and deaths, including occupational and environmental health and general wellness.  Along with its national responsibilities, the Council carries out its mission on the community level through a network of Chapters. The Council and its Chapters are committed to promoting safety and health in all walks of life, 24 hours a day.

About the South Louisiana Chapter

Our Chapter was founded in 1950 and incorporated in 1951 as the Metropolitan New Orleans Safety Council Inc. We became a Chapter of the National Safety Council that same year. As our service area grow, our name was changed to the Metropolitan Safety Council of the New Orleans Area Inc., doing business as (dba) National Safety Council, South Louisiana Chapter.  We now service the South Louisiana Parishes of Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Washington, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana.  Also, due to our location, we are able to service the Mississippi Gulf Coast region.

A board of directors governs the Chapter.  The directors are unpaid volunteers.  The directors, their officers and committees determine policies, operating procedures and programs to be developed and carried out by the Chapter's professional staff.  Board members represent business, labor, government, community groups, trade and professional associations, schools, and individuals.  The Chapter serves over 450 member organizations in South Louisiana. 

Operation.  As a non-government organization, the Chapter does not have the authority to legislate or regulate.  It can, however, influence public opinion, attitudes and behavior.  The Chapter serves as an objective and impartial intermediary by bringing safety and health professionals representing industry and labor together with government, association and public-interest representatives to form coalitions on key safety, health and environmental issues.

The Chapter's not-for-profit status as a 501(c)(3) organization enables it to develop actions and expand its outreach by securing funding for innovative public programs that save lives. Donations to the National Safety Council and the South Louisiana Chapter have made a difference for millions of people on the job, at home and in communities across the nation. The corporations, foundations and individuals that support the Council collectively make the world a safer and healthier place for everyone.

Community Services.   The South Louisiana Chapter is involved in a number of community programs and initiatives to address the safety and health needs of  the general public and to enhance the quality of life for citizens throughout the parishes served by the organization.  These programs include:

• Airbag Awareness Program

• Buckle Up America! Occupant Protection Campaign

• Child Safety Seat Program

• DDC-Alive at 25 Driver Training Program

• Fall Prevention for the Elderly Program

• Home Safety Program

• Safe Communities Coalition

• Southeast Louisiana DWI Task Force

• Poison Prevention Workshop

• Asthma Prevention Workshop

• Traffic Safety Committee