[ Music ]
>> Opioid misuse and overdose are serious health concerns in
the United States.
Overdose deaths involving opioids doubled from 2010-2016,
with more than 42,000 deaths in 2016.
By 2018, opioids were involved in more than 46,800 deaths.
The effects of opioid overdose
and misuse are not isolated to
home environments.
Overdose deaths at work from
non-medical use of drugs or
alcohol increased on average 38%
annually from 2013 to 2016.
217 workplace overdose deaths
were reported, accounting for
4.2% of deaths at work that year.
When injuries happen in the workplace,
opioids may be prescribed. Opioid use is associated with
risks, including opioid use disorder and overdose,
with the consequences affecting both an individual’s working
life as well as their home life.
Workplace risk factors that might lead to opioids being
prescribed include unsafe conditions that lead to injury,
such as slips, trips, and falls, or heavy workloads.
Other factors such as job insecurity, job loss, and
demanding, low-control jobs may also be linked with
prescription opioid use.
There are drugs, such as Naloxone, that may temporarily
stop the life-threatening effects of an opioid overdose.
More than one dose of naloxone may be needed
to reverse some overdoses. Naloxone alone may be inadequate
if someone has taken large quantities of opioids,
very potent opioids, or long acting opioids.
For this reason, call 911 immediately
for every overdose situation.
Some business owners have incorporated a Naloxone use
program in their workplace.
Have you considered having a workplace naloxone use program?
NIOSH, a federal agency that studies
worker safety and health, has developed solutions to help
employers face the issue of opioid overdose in the workplace.
Information in our factsheet, “Using Naloxone
to Reverse Opioid Overdose in the Workplace”,
will help you decide if a workplace program for
administering naloxone is right for your situation.
>> Conduct a risk assessment. Decide whether workers, visiting
clients, customers, or patients are at risk of an overdose.
Recent studies show higher opioid overdose death rates
among workers in industries and occupations with high rates of
work-related injuries and illnesses.
The need to return to work soon after an injury or to remain at
work in spite of an injury may contribute to high rates of
opioid-related overdose death.
Workplaces that serve the public are also at risk.
Places like libraries, restaurants, and parks may have
visitors who overdose while onsite.
>> Is your business or workplace at risk?
Does your state allow workplaces to administer naloxone?
What liability and legal considerations should be addressed?
Do you have the staff willing to be trained to provide naloxone?
Is there evidence of opioid drug use onsite or has your workplace
experienced an opioid overdose?
How quickly can emergency response personnel access your
workplace to provide assistance?
Does your workplace offer other first aid
or emergency response interventions?
Are the risks for opioid overdose greater
in your area or industry?
Does your workplace have frequent visitors, clients,
patients, or other members of the public that may be at
increased risk of opioid overdose?
If any of these issues are important to you, then consider
exploring a naloxone use program for your workplace.
Establishing a Naloxone Administration Program
Conduct a risk assessment.
Consider liability and other legal issues
related to such a program.
Set up formal procedures for documenting incidents and
managing records.
Assign staff roles and responsibilities.
Train staff to lower risks.
Plan for the purchase and storage of naloxone.
Store personal protective equipment for naloxone use
close by to protect against
chemical or biological exposures,
including opioid residues, blood, or other bodily fluids.
Plan for follow-up care.
Re-evaluate your program periodically.
>> If you decide the program might be right for your
workplace, the factsheet can help guide you through the
decision-making process,
provide the information you need for a safer and healthier
workplace and get you started with establishing a program
designed to meet your business or workplace needs.
Please visit our website and download a copy of
“Using Naloxone to Reverse Opioid Overdose in the Workplace”
to find out more detailed information
and links to other resources.
[ Music ]