WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Safety Council is thrilled with the Biden Administration’s recently announced “Guidelines for Safety Station Programs in Federal Facilities.” As part of this updated guidance, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the General Services Administration recommends opioid overdose reversal agents, such as naloxone, be included onsite at all federal facilities, thus making it readily accessible in case of an emergency.
At the National Safety Council, we know it is critical workplaces are ready to respond to a potential opioid overdose. Through our Respond Ready Workplace program, our efforts focus on three critical aspects: 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 save a life. There is no question that naloxone is first aid when someone is experiencing an opioid overdose, and this updated guidance is a historic step towards increasing the accessibility of naloxone anywhere people gather, including workplaces.
This updated guidance also comes just a few months after bipartisan legislators introduced the WORK to Save Lives Act in the United States Congress. This legislation requires opioid overdose reversal medications be available and accessible in all federal buildings and encourages businesses to stock the medication as well. The WORK to Save Lives Act boldly declares this country cannot and will not continue to ignore the opioid epidemic.
The Council’s focus on opioid overdose and naloxone awareness, access and adoption directly aligns with the WORK to Save Lives Act as well as the Biden Administration’s efforts to address this national crisis. NSC stands ready to continue advocating for worker health and wellbeing, and supporting its government partners and others in saving lives.
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.
