The Occupational Safety and Health Administration released new guidance on opioid overdose preparedness in the workplace, advising employers and workers on how to recognize overdoses and administer lifesaving reversal medications.
The fact sheet, "Opioid Overdose Rescue with Reversal Medications," is part of the Great American Recovery Initiative, a government-wide effort prioritizing addiction treatment and recovery.
OSHA's guidance highlights key overdose preparedness strategies, including keeping FDA-approved reversal medications such as naloxone or nalmefene on hand, storing the medications in highly visible, easily accessible locations like automated external defibrillators, educating workers to recognize critical symptoms such as slow or stopped breathing, blue lips or skin, and unresponsiveness, and training workers to administer the medication and provide supportive care while waiting for emergency responders.
Reversal medications quickly restore normal breathing and generally have no effect if opioids are not present. The 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.