WASHINGTON, DC -- Overdose represents nearly 10 percent of workplace fatalities, yet only 28 percent of employers report being fully stocked with naloxone on worksites, according to a recent NSC survey.

To help protect workers, the National Safety Council today launched the Overdose Emergency Planning Tool, a free resource to help guide employers in establishing an opioid overdose response plan for their workplace.

The tool addresses a critical gap in workplace safety preparedness. The majority of overdoses both on and off the job are caused by opioids, making naloxone an important solution to help mitigate this risk and save lives.

“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 CEO. “This tool empowers employers to take proactive, evidence-based steps to ensure they are ready to respond during an opioid overdose emergency.”

The Overdose Emergency Planning Tool guides employers through a simple process:

● Users provide basic information including location, industry, workforce size, EMS response time estimates, number of floors and whether there is frequent public access to the worksite

● The tool automatically generates individualized findings that break down recommendations in detail

● It also provides educational information on topics like placement considerations, storage, relevant laws and how to begin creating an opioid overdose response program

The tool is evidence-informed, based on research NSC conducted with EHS Compliance Services Inc. that identified key risk factors to inform naloxone recommendations. The findings are detailed in the Overdose Emergency Planning Tool Risk Factors and Methodology Report. NSC received financial support from Emergent BioSolutions Inc., the manufacturer of NARCAN® Nasal Spray, to conduct the independent research.

The new resource builds on the NSC Respond Ready Workplace program’s initiatives to combat the opioid crisis. Employers can access the Overdose Emergency Planning Tool at nsc.org/overdosetool.