Opioids on the Job: Planning to Protect
A New NSC Tool Helps Employers Prepare for Opioid Emergencies and Improve Workplace Safety.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Oct 03, 2025
With overdoses now linked to nearly one in ten workplace deaths, the National Safety Council (NSC) has introduced a free Overdose Emergency Planning Tool to help employers prepare for opioid emergencies.
“Opioids are driving about 10% of occupational fatalities—more than many realize,” says Claire Bryant, Senior Program Manager of Workplace Safety Programs at NSC. While EMS responded to more than 12,000 workplace overdoses in 2024, the number is starting to decline, offering hope that prevention efforts are working.
The online tool, available at nsc.org/overdosetool, calculates the amount of naloxone a workplace should have on hand based on factors such as industry, workforce size, building layout, and emergency response times. It also provides state-specific requirements—California, for example, will require naloxone in workplaces by 2028—and links to NSC’s free training resources.
Bryant emphasizes the importance of recognizing warning signs, such as pinpoint pupils, slowed breathing, or unresponsiveness, and acting quickly by administering naloxone and calling 911.
She also highlights a growing trend: recovery-supportive workplace policies, which encourage openness, connect employees to assistance programs, and help prevent substance misuse before a crisis occurs.
“The workplace is a microcosm of society,” Bryant says. “By preparing and supporting recovery, employers can save lives.”
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About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for OH&S.