National Safety Council Invests $300,000 for Advanced Solutions to Promote Workplace Safety

National Safety Council's Commitment to Safer Workplaces



In a significant step towards improving workplace safety, the National Safety Council (NSC) has announced an investment of $300,000 in cutting-edge solutions aimed explicitly at combating musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This funding, awarded to the recipients of the 2025-2026 Research to Solutions (R2S) and MSD Solutions Pilot Grant programs, brings the total investment in preventing MSDs to nearly $850,000 over three years.

Advancing Research and Safety Protocols


The NSC's MSD Solutions Lab, initiated in 2021 with support from Amazon, champions academic research alongside workplace pilot programs. It focuses on mitigating MSDs, which are reported as the most prevalent injuries in American workplaces. The announcement came during the Workplace Safety Summit themed "Innovation to Application" held in honor of National Safety Month, where innovative ideas to address workplace challenges were shared.

Katherine Mendoza, Senior Director of Workplace Safety Programs at NSC, emphasized the critical nature of these grants, stating, "Each year, the MSD Solutions Lab grants spark innovative thinking and fresh solutions to one of the most pressing workplace challenges." This year's recipients displayed boldness in their approaches, showcasing the need for actionable ideas in fostering safer environments.

Grant Recipients and Their Innovative Research


The R2S grant is designed to support academic institutions engaged in research aimed at building effective MSD interventions. Each awarded project will receive a maximum of $50,000 to explore vital areas such as:
  • - Emerging technologies
  • - Risk-prone job tasks
  • - MSD management systems
  • - Total worker wellbeing

Notable recipients include:
  • - University of Waterloo: They will utilize innovative MSD risk assessment tools leveraging emerging technologies.
  • - Auburn University: Focused on developing a new organizational tool for plant layout aimed at controlling and mitigating MSD risks.
  • - Texas Tech University: Will investigate the use of 3D-printed head and neck rests designed to minimize discomfort during overhead tasks.
  • - George Mason University: They plan to create smartphone computer vision technology capable of assessing movements in real-time, particularly beneficial for emergency responders.

Pilot Projects Targeting Workplace Innovation


In addition to academic research, the MSD Solutions Pilot Grant incentivizes trials of safety innovations. Collaborations between MSD Pledge members and technology providers will enable practical application of the awarded technology. Each recipient receives $20,000 to implement and assess promising safety solutions.

This year’s notable projects include:
  • - dormakaba with DORN: Training employees in best practices for reducing MSD risk to enhance overall wellness.
  • - Cargill: Teaming with MākuSafe to utilize technology for creating risk profiles and early hazard identification.
  • - Panduit: Collaborating with Stroma Vision to minimize upper extremity MSD risks during manufacturing processes linked to cable management and electrical connectivity.
  • - Northwell and Hapo: Evaluating the effectiveness of a "surgeon exoskeleton" designed to alleviate upper limb strain during complex surgical operations.
  • - US Foods: Employing IntelliSafe Analytics to detect and analyze lifting stress incidents across their manufacturing and delivery sites.

Sharing Knowledge and Future Outlook


Grants awarded this year not only support innovative projects but also provide an invaluable platform for researchers to present their findings at the upcoming 2026 NSC Safety Congress & Expo. As the NSC continues its efforts to improve workplace safety, these initiatives reflect a growing commitment to addressing and reducing the impact of MSDs in various occupational settings.
For those interested in more details on the MSD Solutions Lab and its grant programs, please visit nsc.org/msd.

The Mission of the National Safety Council


The National Safety Council has been the leading nonprofit advocate for safety in America for over 110 years. With the goal of eliminating the primary causes of preventable deaths and injuries, the organization focuses its resources on workplace safety to ensure individuals can live their lives freely and without risk.

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