Workplace opioid overdose response: New York and OSHA issue guidance

The New York State Department of Labor has proposed regulations to implement Labor Law section 27-f, which requires certain employers to provide opioid antagonists, such as naloxone or Narcan, for workplace emergencies. Under the proposed rules, covered employers must ensure a sufficient supply of medication is readily accessible, recruit and train employee volunteers, and establish protocols for inspection and disposal. The regulations apply to employers federally required by OSHA to maintain first aid supplies. Employers will determine the necessary quantity of medication based on workplace size, layout, and the nature of the work.

Concurrently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released new guidance titled ‘Opioid Overdose Rescue with Reversal Medications’ as part of the Great American Recovery Initiative. This guidance encourages workplaces to keep FDA-approved reversal medications on hand and treat them similarly to first aid kits or automated external defibrillators. The initiative emphasizes recognizing overdose symptoms—such as pinpoint pupils or unresponsiveness—and training workers to administer medication while awaiting professional emergency services.