Safety Experts Urge Employers to Act Now Against Opioid Overdose to Save Lives

Prepare for overdose emergencies at work by stocking naloxone and providing proper training.

Workplace first aid kits should now contain naloxone to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose, says the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA). ISEA publishes the ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021 standard — which provides minimum performance specifications for occupational first aid kits and the supplies they contain.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of naloxone as an OTC drug gives workplaces access to a lifesaving tool to reduce the number of opioid overdose deaths. Workplaces can help prevent overdose deaths by stocking lifesaving medication on site and equipping employees with proper overdose response training to help save a life.

This guidance does not appear in the current ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 standard because it was revised before the FDA approved naloxone. While a new update to ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 is planned for 2025, ISEA urges workplaces to add naloxone to their first aid kits now rather than wait for new guidelines.

“We all have a role to play in addressing the opioid epidemic, including employers,” said Cam Mackey, president & CEO of ISEA. “Providing access to naloxone and appropriate training at work can protect workers and possibly save someone’s life. We encourage all employers to make this change to their first aid kits now.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 525 people died from overdoses at work in 2022[1].

In a March 2024 statement, the White House challenged leaders to increase training and access to opioid overdose reversal medications, keeping the medications in first aid kits, and distributing the medications to employees and customers so they might save a life at home, work, or in their communities.[2]

The opioid epidemic has a significant impact on the labor market. An estimated 12.6% of the U.S. workforce receives an opioid prescription each year[3], and 75% of employers surveyed by the National Safety Council (NSC) report that they have been directly affected by opioids.[4] With opioid deaths surging, there’s no time to wait before adopting programs to reduce opioid tragedies in the workplace.

Some companies and communities are already combatting opioid overdoses by making naloxone available and committing to more training. For example, the Chicago Department of Aviation  added Narcan to 96 automated external defibrillator (AED) cabinets at O’Hare International Airport and 32 at Midway International Airport.[5] Also, state health officials in California have pushed to expand access to the medication, distributing millions of kits for free.[6]

In opioid overdose emergencies, bystanders are often the first to witness or be in the presence of the person experiencing an overdose.[7] Individuals should not be reluctant to come to the aid of others out of fear of potential litigation. According to NSC, 49 states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws that provide legal protection to individuals who administer naloxone in good faith to someone experiencing an opioid overdose[8].

Don’t wait to take action in the opioid epidemic response. Prepare now for overdose emergencies by stocking naloxone on site and equipping employees with proper overdose response training and resources. For more information about ISEA, visit www.safetyequipment.org.  

About ISEA
The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) is the trade association for technologies that keep workers safe. Its member companies, united in the goal of protecting the health and safety of workers worldwide, are global leaders in the design, manufacture, testing, and distribution of personal protective and safety equipment, which protects more than 125 million workers across the U.S. Since 1933, ISEA has been a recognized leader in the development of ANSI-accredited safety equipment standards, in the United States and around the world. ISEA works with Congress and government agencies to consult with policymakers whose decisions affect the industry.

Nationwide, the safety equipment industry supports 345,001 total jobs and generates more than $71.6 billion in economic activity. In 2020, the safety equipment industry paid $5 billion in federal taxes and nearly $4 billion in state taxes, for a total tax generation of $9 billion. For more information, visit safetyequipment.org.

[1] https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cfoi.pdf

[2] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/03/13/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-launches-the-white-house-challenge-to-save-lives-from-overdose/

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8039912/

[4] https://www.nsc.org/in-the-newsroom/poll-75-of-employers-say-their-workplace-impacted-by-opioid-use

[5] https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/doa/provdrs/dbata/news/2024/february/02262024.html

[6] https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB1976

[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9122081/

[8] https://www.nsc.org/getmedia/a6c6de5c-6f64-481d-b100-c5a50b0e9f9d/wp-wellbeing-ksa-report-naloxone.pdf

Search

Trending

Standards

Global PPE

Issues

We are the safety equipment industry, united in the goal of protecting workers worldwide.

Our Mission

The voice of credibility for the safety equipment industry

Members & Leadership

Learn about ISEA members, leadership and awards

Board of Trustees

Your elected officials to help guide the association

ISEA Foundation

We help develop talent and raise awareness about worker safety

Staff

Meet the team

Explore Membership

ISEA membership gives you a seat at the table, delivers powerful insights and lets you engage with peers.  

Our education & training programs improve the effectiveness of safety equipment industry professionals.

QSSP

Our education & training programs improve the effectiveness of safety equipment industry professionals.

Executive Summit

Hear progressive ideas, learn best practices, and make peer connections.

Annual Business Meeting

Collaborate on standards development and track industry & policy trends

Event Calendar

See all upcoming events

Webinar Library

Access our webinar library

2024 ISEA Annual Meeting

Overview Registration Evening Events Sponsorships Agenda At the Annual Meeting, you’ll experience: Interactive Product Group Sessions Engage with your peers to discuss opportunities to create

Learn More

We are a trusted resource for industry insights and policy, with a window to Washington

Advocacy & Issues

Gain a powerful advocate in the halls of government

Industry Impact

Measuring the impact of the safety equipment industry

Industry Intelligence

Reports and tools for ISEA members

Market Data Analysis

Benchmark market share & product growth trends

Newsroom

Access the latest safety news & insights

Buyer's Guide

Discover our buyers guide to find the right PPE for your company and people.

Learn More

Tips For Buying PPE Online

Buying PPE online? Follow our guide to ensure it’s appropriate and high quality.

Learn More