Efforts are afoot to create new laws and regulations that would require California employers to include the opioid overdose medication Narcan in their first aid kits.
The National Safety Council (NSC) recently asked the Cal/OSHA Standards Board to create new regulations requiring construction sites and general industry workplaces to stock medications that can reverse opioid overdoses.
On the legislative front, two state assembly members have introduced bills that would require workplace first aid kits to include naloxone hydrochloride, the substance that can reverse overdoses.
More than 83,000 people died of an opioid overdose in 2022 in the U.S., including nearly 7,000 Californians, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Workplace overdose deaths jumped 500% between 2011 and 2021 and overdoses account for 9% of workplace deaths nationally. In California, overdoses accounted for 18% of workplace deaths in 2021.
Naloxone, sold under the brand names Narcan and RiVive, is available in an over-the-counter nasal spray or as an injectable.
These medications temporarily reverse overdoses from prescription and illicit opioids, are not addictive and are not harmful to people when administered.
In its Dec. 8 petition to Cal/OSHA’s Standards Board, the NSC asked it to add naloxone to the list of required items in both construction sites as well as general industry workplaces.
“With the number of workplace overdose deaths on the rise, opioid overdose reversal medication is now an essential component of an adequate first-aid kit,” wrote Lorraine M. Martin, president and CEO of the NSC. “The inclusion of an opioid overdose reversal medication requirement in rules 3400 and 1512 would help California combat the opioid crisis by ensuring worksites are appropriately equipped to respond to such an emergency.”
She also called for training to use the medication.
Legislation
Two bills are in play.
AB 1976: Authored by Assemblyman Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), this bill would require first aid kits on job sites to include Narcan. It would require the Standards Board to draft enabling regulations by Dec. 31, 2026.
AB 1996: Authored by Assemblyman Juan Alanis (D-Modesto), this measure would require operators of stadiums, concert venues and amusement parks to stock Narcan. It would not require Cal/OSHA to create new regulations as the measure is aimed at helping members of the public.
The takeaway
In light of the opioid overdose epidemic, more and more employers and operators of facilities that cater to the public have started stocking naloxone. With opioid overdoses so prevalent in U.S. workplaces (18% in California alone), the simple addition of this over-the-counter medication can save the life of a worker.
Narcan is available over the counter for around $40 at most major retail pharmacies. It’s a simple and inexpensive addition to a first aid kit for any employer. It would be good practice to keep one in your safety kit … just in case.
Meanwhile, if any of these efforts are codified, we’ll let you know.