This legislation will save lives and foster a culture of safety and support throughout the state.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Safety Council applauds the recent signing of California Assembly Bill 1976 into law. This critical legislation mandates the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board draft a rulemaking proposal by Dec. 1, 2026, to revise Section 3400 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations. This revision, which must be adopted by July 2027, will require workplaces to include naloxone hydrochloride or another FDA-approved opioid antagonist in their first aid materials, along with instructions for use. This marks a significant step forward in enhancing public safety and addressing our nation’s opioid crisis.
Nationally, overdoses account for nearly 1 in 10 worker deaths on the job and have increased by more than 600% since 2011. NSC believes it is critical workplaces are ready to respond to a potential opioid overdose. Through the NSC Respond Ready Workplace program, our efforts focus on three critical pillars: opioid overdose and naloxone awareness, access to naloxone in workplace first aid kits and other locations, and adoption of programs to ensure workplaces and their employees are equipped to respond in case of an emergency. By providing lifesaving training to workers, safer workplaces and safer communities are also created, as these individuals carry their training with them wherever they go.
NSC commends the legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom for taking proactive measures to make workplaces and communities across California safer. We believe that this legislation will not only save lives but will also foster a culture of safety and support throughout the state. As America’s leading nonprofit safety advocate, we look forward to continuing to serve as a trusted partner to state government and its agencies, and urge all workplaces across the country to provide lifesaving resources and training.
About the National Safety Council
The National Safety Council is America’s leading nonprofit safety advocate – and has been for 110 years. As a mission-based organization, we work to eliminate the leading causes of preventable death and injury, focusing our efforts on the workplace and roadways. We create a culture of safety to not only keep people safer at work, but also beyond the workplace so they can live their fullest lives.
With a century-long legacy, the National Safety Council is a global center for safety expertise. Let's work together to align resources. We look forward to learning about ways we can join efforts to expand safety everywhere!
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