NSC Launches Overdose Emergency Planning Tool
Given the startling fact that overdose represents nearly 10% of workplace fatalities, and only 28% of employers report being fully stocked with naloxone on worksites, the National Safety Council, on September 10, launched the Overdose Emergency Planning Tool.
The free resource helps employers establish an opioid overdose response plan.
NSC notes that 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, in a statement. “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.
The new resource builds on the NSC Respond Ready Workplace program’s initiatives to combat the opioid crisis.