NSC Launches Overdose Emergency Planning Tool to Help Employers Save Lives
The free online resource offers evidence-based guidance on workplace naloxone readiness as overdoses remain a leading cause of on-the-job fatalities.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Sep 15, 2025
The National Safety Council announced on Wednesday the launch of its Overdose Emergency Planning Tool, a free resource designed to help employers develop opioid overdose response plans for their workplaces.
The tool arrives at a critical moment: overdoses account for nearly 10% of workplace fatalities, yet only 28% of employers report that they have naloxone on-site, according to a recent NSC survey.
“Just as we expect to find fire extinguishers and AEDs in workplaces, naloxone should be part of every organization’s emergency preparedness plan,” said Lorraine Martin, NSC president and CEO. “This tool empowers employers to take proactive, evidence-based steps to ensure they are ready to respond during an opioid overdose emergency.”
The planning tool guides employers through a series of questions, including location, industry, workforce size, estimated EMS response time, number of floors, and whether the worksite is frequently accessed by the public. Based on those details, it generates tailored recommendations and offers additional educational resources, including guidance on placement, storage, legal considerations, and how to begin creating an opioid response program.
The tool was developed with research from EHS Compliance Services Inc. and is supported by findings in the Overdose Emergency Planning Tool Risk Factors and Methodology Report. Financial support came from Emergent BioSolutions Inc., the maker of NARCAN® Nasal Spray, though NSC emphasized the research was conducted independently.
This new resource expands the NSC’s Respond Ready Workplace program, which helps employers address the ongoing opioid crisis. Employers can access the Overdose Emergency Planning Tool at nsc.org/overdosetool.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for OH&S.