Accidental opioid overdose can happen anywhere at any time, even in the workplace. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported a 619% increase in drug and alcohol-related workplace deaths since 2011. And the number of workplace deaths due to unintentional overdose totaled 525 in 2022, accounting for roughly 9.6% of all workplace deaths that year.
Fostering a safe workplace for all employees has never been more important. Becoming a ready to rescue and recovery friendly workplace, keeping naloxone on-site, can help stem the tide of fatal overdoses. Government agencies have taken note and partnered with businesses to implement programing that supports employees recovering from a substance use disorder.
The National Safety Council (NSC) has also released an employer opioid toolkit, calling on all employers to equip their workplace first aid kits with naloxone, provide supervisor education around opioid misuse and include access to treatment options in their Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
Here are some ways you can begin addressing opioids in your organization:
Add naloxone kits to first aid kits:
Having naloxone as part of your first aid program can make all the difference. Equipping employees with the ability to act quickly in the case of an overdose emergency can help improve workplace safety.
Consult your legal team:
If interested in becoming a ready to rescue workplace, consulting a legal team to understand all considerations for your unique workforce is a good place to start. They can help guide and advise on local, state, and federal regulations associated with becoming a recovery ready workplace.
Develop a communications plan:
Breaking down the stigma associated with opioid dependency and overdose starts with communication. Build out a comprehensive communications plan to deliver information about your organization’s program and commit to addressing this issue, while also adding a human element to the opioid crisis.
Offer employees educational opportunities:
Share information about how to recognize the signs of a possible opioid overdose and how to act in the event of an emergency. You can access educational videos and downloadable resources at narcan.com/resources.
Identify champions in your workplace to use as influencers:
Research has shown that information shared by colleagues tends to have greater impact than information shared by the organization. Tap into the influencers within your organization, and provide them with the information, skills, and training they need to become advocates for a safer workplace.
Connect employees to community prevention, treatment, and recovery resources:
As the opioid crisis tends to get more severe, with the proliferation of substances such as fentanyl, more and more communities are investing in local resources to try to combat the crisis. Create relationships with organizations such as these, where possible, and let employees know that these resources are out there and available.