NSC CEO Outlines Strategy for Emerging Safety Risks
Lorraine Martin urges Congress to prioritize SIF prevention, mental health and roadway technology to reduce workplace fatalities.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- May 13, 2026
National Safety Council CEO Lorraine Martin testified before a House subcommittee today, detailing a three-pronged strategy to address evolving hazards in the American workforce.
Speaking to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, Martin identified serious incident and fatality (SIF) prevention as a primary pillar of modern safety. She argued that robust safety programs must shift toward proactive hazard identification and the implementation of controls to mitigate risks before they result in injury or death.
The testimony also addressed the growing intersection between worker wellbeing and occupational safety. Martin noted that mental health, fatigue, stress and impairment are critical factors that influence workplace stability. By addressing these broader conditions, Martin suggested employers could foster more resilient environments.
Finally, the council highlighted the persistent danger of transportation incidents, which remain the leading cause of work-related deaths. Martin called for enhanced interagency collaboration and the integration of new lifesaving technologies to combat roadway fatalities.
Martin told the subcommittee that eliminating preventable injuries is achievable through the adoption of emerging best practices and advanced safety technology.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of OHSOnline.com.