ISEA Advocates for Employers to Add Naloxone to First Aid Kits
The over-the-counter medication is often used to combat opioid overdoses, an ongoing occurrence in the workplace.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- May 03, 2024
Aiming to combat the opioid crisis, the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) has called for employers to equip first aid kids with naloxone and provide the necessary training.
In a recent statement, the ISEA advocates for incorporating naloxone into workplace first aid kits as a means to reverse opioid overdoses. This follows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of naloxone as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug, offering workplaces a way to mitigate opioid-related fatalities quickly.
Thus far, naloxone is not included in the current ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 standard, though ISEA stresses the importance of having naloxone on hand as an immediate treatment to curb the effects of opioid overdose. The organization encourages employers to implement this lifesaving measure without waiting for updated guidelines.
The White House previously called upon leaders to enhance the training and accessibility of opioid overdose reversal medications, advocating for their presence in first aid kits and distribution to employees and customers. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), 75 percent of employers report a direct impact from opioids.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.