US Department of Labor releases new workplace guidance to prepare employers, workers for opioid emergencies

News Release

US Department of Labor releases new workplace guidance to prepare employers, workers for opioid emergencies

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today released a fact sheet to help employers and workers rapidly respond to opioid-related overdose emergencies in the workplace.

Opioid emergencies can happen anywhere, including at work, and being prepared can help save a life. OSHA's new guidance, "Opioid Overdose Rescue with Reversal Medications," is part of the Great American Recovery Initiative, a government-wide effort by the Trump Administration prioritizing addiction treatment and recovery. The fact sheet provides practical information that focuses on empowering workplaces to recognize the signs of an overdose and act immediately.

"President Trump has charged the Department of Labor with making recovery part of our workforce strategy, helping more individuals return to work and ensuring our businesses have the workers they need," said Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. "Today's guidance, released as part of President Trump's Great American Recovery Initiative, is exactly the kind of action we were tasked with delivering on for the American people."

"President Trump has been fighting back against the deadly synthetic opioids infecting the entire illicit drug supply, from known illicit drugs to counterfeit tablets sold on the street or through fake online pharmacies," said White House Drug Czar Sara Carter. "Because fentanyl has infiltrated the illicit drug landscape and acts as a chemical weapon against our people, it is critically important that the American workforce is familiar with drug overdose recognition and reversal. I am grateful to the Department of Labor for informing employers and workers about life-saving overdose reversal treatments like naloxone."

OSHA's fact sheet highlights key opioid overdose preparedness strategies, including:

• Keep lifesaving FDA-approved reversal medications - such as naloxone or nalmefene - on hand. These safe, life-saving medications quickly restore normal breathing and generally have no effect if opioids are not present.
• Treat overdose kits like first aid by storing them in highly visible, easily accessible locations, just like automated external defibrillators or standard first-aid kits.
• Educate workers on how to identify critical symptoms of an overdose, such as slow or stopped breathing, blue lips or skin, pinpoint pupils, or unresponsiveness.
• Prepare for rapid action in an emergency by training workers to administer the medication, safely position the individual, and provide supportive care while waiting for first responders.

OSHA's guidance emphasizes that while these medications are critical, they do not replace emergency services. Workplace responders should always call 911 immediately because the medication's effects are temporary and professional medical care is still required.

The Department of Labor is committed to supporting workers' safety and health on the job, along with partners at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and other agencies.

Read the Opioid Overdose Rescue with Reversal Medications fact sheet.

Learn more about OSHA.