Six Win Distinguished Service To Safety Awards

Since 1942, the National Safety Council has honored individuals for exceptional dedication to safety and health.

The National Safety Council has honored six individuals with its Distinguished Service to Safety Award, the highest award given to safety professionals by the Council. Recipients were honored at the Opening Session of the NSC Congress & Expo in San Diego, CA.

NSC Safety Award
Michael Ballard receives the Distinguished Service to Safety Award at the National Safety Council 2019 Congress & Expo. (Photo: Joshua Aycock/ U.S. Air Force)

“This year’s group of DSSA winners exemplify a true commitment to furthering safety and health excellence,” said Lorraine M. Martin, president and CEO of the National Safety Council (NSC). “We are honored to recognize them for their work and hope they inspire others to make their own contributions to the field.”

Honorees are nominated by their colleagues and reviewed by NSC Division Committees. The following individuals were selected for recognition this year:

  • Michael Lee Ballard: Deputy chief, air force occupational safety, United States Air Force
  • Darryl C. Hill, PhD., CSP: Senior vice president, safety, FirstGroup America
  • Travis M. Parsons: Associate director of occupational safety and health, Laborers’ Health & Safety Fund of North America
  • Douglas C. Pontsler: Chairman and managing director, COVE: Center of Visual Expertise
  • James M. Sievert: President/senior trainer, Sievert Safety Training LLC & NSCNNE
  • Donald D. Taylor: Global H&S, medical manager, Nexteer Automotive

“I am very grateful for the person who nominated me, and I am grateful for the recognition that comes with the hard work, with being surrounded by other people who take great pride in their work,” Ballard told the National Safety Council’s Safety+Health magazine.

“Together you’re able to get things done for the benefits of the workers and workforce and workplace,” Ballard added. “While I get to collect the award as an individual, it’s really about the collective career successes of myself and many others.”

Learn more about this year’s DSSA winners and what inspires them here.