NSC and Amazon Join Hands to Support Women in Safety

The National Safety Council (NSC) has received a sponsorship of $125,000 from Amazon to support women in pursuing careers in the safety industry and advancing those that are already in the field.

According to the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), women make up nearly half of the U.S workforce. However, they continue to be underrepresented in the safety industry. In fact, women make up far less than half of the safety profession – 19% only - and they perhaps struggle even more than women in other industries to attain leadership roles. Furthermore, women only make up 22% of professionals who have earned the certified safety professional designation from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) – which is considered to be the gold standard of safety certifications. The gender gap in the safety profession appears to be quite wide since women safety professionals relatively earn less money than their male counterparts, and far fewer women than men have traditionally entered into and stayed in the profession.

“We know women are an important part of that equation. We are thrilled to partner with Amazon to ensure women are involved and supported at all levels of the safety profession,” said Lorraine M. Martin, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. She also went on to emphasize that “An organization with a diverse workforce is more likely to outperform those without diversity.”

Heather MacDougall, vice president of Worldwide Workplace Health and Safety at Amazon also reiterated that “innovation in the safety industry thrives when diverse people, including women, bring their voices to the table. From hourly associates to upper management and leadership, women have critical roles at Amazon and significantly strengthen our safety program. We're proud to support the NSC’s mission to recognize and provide resources to women in the safety industry."

The funds from the amazon sponsorship will go towards bolstering three NSC initiatives:

• Marion Martin Award: This award celebrates women in the safety industry who have achieved professional excellence in their area of specialty and helped pave the way for other women in the profession.

• Women in Safety Scholarship: This program provides a renewable scholarship for women studying safety in the workplace, with the number of awards varying per year.

• Women’s Division: The NSC Women’s Division provides an opportunity for women to network with top female safety professionals worldwide.