Naloxone Availability at Worksites Helps Prevent Overdose Deaths

Nationwide efforts to prevent fentanyl- and other opioid-related overdose deaths can be escalated in U.S. workplaces by employers who opt to make naloxone available for on-site emergency response. Overdose causes about 10% of workplace fatalities – the majority attributed to opioids – but only 28% of employers report being fully stocked with naloxone at worksites, according to a National Safety Council (NSC) survey.

Opioids contained in prescription pain relievers and illegal drugs interact with nerve cells to block pain signals between the brain and the body. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist approved by the Food and Drug Administration that is used to restore breathing in an opioid overdose victim. It has no effect on a person who does not have opioids in their system.

WorkCare has protocols in place for the administration of naloxone at client locations. Our on-site providers – including nurses, injury prevention specialists, and medical technicians – are trained in emergency response. Having an occupational health professional on-site to administer naloxone helps alleviate concerns an employer may have about it on hand.

Addressing a Public Health Emergency

The opioid epidemic that was declared a national public health emergency in 2017 remains in effect. Under its Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services requires federal agencies to add fentanyl and its metabolites to workplace drug screen panels. The Department of Transportation is in the process of rulemaking to comply with this change.

U.S. officials report that increased access to naloxone and referrals to treatment for substance use disorders, among other factors, help reduce fatality rates. Drug overdose deaths decreased by an estimated 26.5% in the U.S. from April 2025 to April 2025, according to provisional data reported by the National Center for Health Statistics, a CDC agency. Because overdose deaths often involve multiple drugs, a single fatality would be listed in multiple categories, such as when heroin and fentanyl are used in combination.

Quest Diagnostics’ recent analysis of more than 8 million urine drug screens also shows an overall decline in drug positivity rates in the U.S. workforce. However, a significant proportion of random drug tests conducted in 2024 detected fentanyl, 60% of the time in combination with other drugs. The CDC reports that 70% of overdose deaths involved illegally manufactured fentanyls (IMFs) in 2023.

What Can Employers Do to be Part of the Solution?

“Just as we expect to find fire extinguishers and AEDs in workplaces, naloxone should be part of every organization’s emergency preparedness plan.” – Lorraine Martin, CEO, National Safety Council

The presence of an on-site clinic and qualified medical personnel can significantly reduce emergency response times, according to the NSC’s September 2025 Overdose Emergency Planning Tool Risk Factors and Methodology Report. The report states that an effective response plan reflects the type of industry,  its geographic location(s), and whether its employees are at high, medium, or low-risk for overdose. For example, industries employing people who are considered at higher risk for opioid use and related disorders include distribution, logistics, and construction.

Here are some recommended solutions:

1. Retain on-site providers with training in occupational health, emergency response, and first aid to support safety programs and provide advice on the use of naloxone in remote locations, fixed-site workplaces, and mobile operations.
2. Refer to the NSC’s Overdose Emergency Planning Tool when developing an opioid overdose response plan.
3. As applicable, ensure compliance with OSHA regulations related to the delivery of medical services and first aid in general industry and construction.
4. Ensure that employees are trained to recognize signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose. They may include:
   • Slowed or stopped breathing
   • Unresponsiveness or unconsciousness
   • Extreme drowsiness
   • Dizziness
   • Confusion
   • Snoring or gurgling sounds
   • Discolored lips or fingernails (blue coloring)
   • Cold or clammy skin
   • Pinpoint pupils.
5. Store naloxone with other first aid supplies in accessible locations at plants, retail locations, and office buildings, field work locations, construction sites, and in company vehicles, including delivery trucks and passenger buses.
6. Thoroughly understand directions to safely administer the product. Naloxone is typically administered using nasal spray (such as Narcan) or a pre-filled, auto-injection syringe.
7. Establish and train employees to follow company protocols. This includes notifying on-site first responders or calling 911 immediately after first-dose administration, optimally within 2 to 4 minutes of non-responsiveness. The American Heart Association recommends initiating CPR when a person is not breathing. Since repeat doses may be required until emergency medical assistance arrives, it is advisable to have multiple doses immediately available.

Big Returns from an Investment in Prevention

Death from an overdose in the workplace often has ripple effects. A loss of life impacts the victim’s family members and co-workers who may experience a post-traumatic stress response. Levels of anxiety may increase among employees who use opioids, or requests for mental health and substance use disorder assistance may increase.

The majority of overdose incidents and fatalities on and off the job are caused by opioids. Some naloxone formulations are available over the counter or may even be obtained at low or no cost through community-based organizations. With planning, naloxone can be safely stored at worksites and used to save lives.

Contact WorkCare to learn how our expert team can help your company be prepared with an effective overdose emergency response plan and other on-site occupational health and safety interventions.