MISSION AND HISTORY OF THE TENNESSEE SAFETY & HEALTH COUNCIL, INC.
Our Mission - Reducing the suffering and losses caused by accidents.
The Tennessee Safety & Health Council, Inc. (TSHC) assists business,
industries and government groups in their efforts to reduce injuries and
illnesses. The effect of these efforts is to reduce the costs of workers'
compensation, maximize production, improve employee morale,
and meet federal and
state regulatory requirements.
The TSHC is a non-profit, non-governmental, 501(c)(3), public service
organization that draws its strength and support from the companies
and people we serve. (Membership fees may be tax deductible.)
The History of the TSHC
Originally chartered as The Chattanooga Safety Council on September
28, 1924,
the council's first offices were at 819 Broad Street. The
council's organizers
were impelled by an increase in the number of traffic deaths and injuries
throughout the Chattanooga area.
Initially affiliated with the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, the council
held its meetings in the Chamber's offices at 118 1/2 East Eighth Street.
In 1938 the City of Chattanooga, at the urging of the Chattanooga Safety
Council, launched a Safety Lane program for all road vehicles driving
routinely over the City of Chattanooga streets. Vehicle inspection by the
Safety Lane became a city ordinance.
The Council became affiliated with the National Safety Council in 1939, and
is one of the earliest Chartered Chapters.
On November 27, 1939, the president of the Executive Committee was directed
to incorporate the Chattanooga Safety Council under the laws of the
State of Tennessee.
In 1941, through a cooperative effort between the Chattanooga Safety
Council
and the American Automobile Club's Chattanooga office, the first
Safe Driving
Course in the State of Tennessee was begun in the area school system.
Additionally, in concert with the American Red Cross, the
Chattanooga Safety
Council helped launch First Aid classes for the community.
By 1951 the Chattanooga Safety Council had grown to include 100 volunteers
and two paid staff members.
In May, 1964, a Driver Improvement School was started for beginners as well
as experienced drivers. Judge Riley Graham began referring traffic
violators
to the this driver training school rather than to levy fines against them.
The Safety Council's offices were relocated from 819 Broad Street to
the Read
House in July, 1968. This remained our home until September 1979
when we moved
to the the Civic Forum Building at 1001 Market Street.
On January 29, 1991, the Chattanooga Area Safety Council, Inc. officially
changed its name to the Tennessee Safety and Health Council, Inc. and
became a
statewide Chapter of the National Safety Council. On August 23, 1999 the
Council's headquarters was relocated into a larger facility just off
Lee Highway
on the north side of Chattanooga, close to I-75.
Today the TSHC membership includes more than 400 industrial and business
members statewide, with offices in, or soon to be opened in, Memphis,
Nashville,
Knoxville and Bristol to better serve the unique needs of the state's
varied
regions. Including those of the National Safety Council, hundreds of safety
programs are available through the TSHC to help our members and the
citizens of
our region avoid accidental injury and death.
Membership in the Council is open to businesses, organizations and
individuals. The only requirement is an interest in, and concern about the
safety and health of others. The programs and benefits of membership are
determined by our members, speaking through the Council's Board of
Directors,
all of whom are selected by and voted into office by those same members.
We invite you to explore this web site, and to call, email, or fax us with
your questions about safety. If you are eager to help the cause of safer
workplaces, homes, schools, and recreation, you should consider
supporting us
with your membership and active participation. A mouse-click will take
you to
the
membership application form.
