Could Your Workplace Respond to an Opioid Overdose?
Workplaces prepare for many types of medical emergencies. First-aid kits are stocked, AEDs are installed, and employees may receive CPR or emergency response training.
But would your workplace know what to do during a suspected opioid overdose?
In September, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released new guidance designed to help employers and employees prepare for opioid-related overdose emergencies in the workplace.
The guidance provides an important reminder: an overdose can happen anywhere, and knowing how to recognize and respond to one could help save a life.
Recognize the Warning Signs
A suspected opioid overdose requires immediate attention.
According to OSHA, potential signs include slow or stopped breathing, unresponsiveness, pinpoint pupils, and blue or discolored lips or skin.
Employees do not need to diagnose the situation themselves. Instead, they should understand the warning signs and know how to activate the workplace’s emergency response procedures.
Calling 911 should remain a priority whenever an overdose is suspected.
Consider Overdose Reversal Medication
OSHA’s new guidance encourages workplaces to consider keeping FDA-approved opioid overdose reversal medications, such as naloxone or nalmefene, available.
These medications can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and help restore normal breathing while emergency medical assistance is on the way.
If an organization chooses to maintain overdose reversal medication, employees should know where it is located and appropriate personnel should understand how to administer it.
Similar to an AED or first-aid kit, emergency equipment is most valuable when it is accessible and people know how to use it.
Include Overdose Response in Emergency Planning
Organizations should consider whether opioid emergencies are addressed within their broader medical response plans.
Who calls 911? Where are emergency supplies located? Who is trained to respond? Can first responders easily access the building or worksite?
These questions can be discussed before an emergency occurs.
Businesses should also review applicable state and local requirements and work with appropriate medical, legal, or safety professionals when developing workplace procedures.
Approach the Topic Without Stigma
Overdose preparedness should be treated as a safety issue.
An emergency can involve an employee, contractor, customer, visitor, or member of the public. Preparing employees to respond does not mean making assumptions about who may experience an overdose.
It means recognizing that workplaces prepare for emergencies because emergencies are unpredictable.
Preparation Can Make a Difference
Workplace emergency planning continues to evolve as organizations recognize new and changing risks.
Adding overdose awareness to first-aid and emergency response discussions can help employees understand what to look for and what to do when every minute matters.
A prepared workplace cannot prevent every emergency. But it can be ready to respond when one occurs.
