This year has seen the federal approval of over-the-counter availability of naloxone — commonly known as brands Narcan and Evzio — which is used to counteract opioid overdoses and considered a lifesaving medication. As such, there is a push for employers to supply naloxone as part of workplace first-aid kits.

But what does providing naloxone mean for employers?

Caroline J. Berdzik, chair of Goldberg Segalla’s Employment and Labor, Health Care, and Long-Term Care groups, delved into this emerging topic with Business Insurance.

Given that OSHA has not provided specific guidance on overdoses and utilizing naloxone in the workplace, the onus of training on how to administer the medication falls to employers.

“There are no specific standards for employers to be guided by other than the existing OSHA standards which cover areas such as safety training and blood-borne pathogens,” Caroline said.

She noted there is also the risk of someone improperly administering the medication, which poses the risk of negative side effects for the person receiving naloxone. Therefore, employers need to stay abreast of relevant Good Samaritan laws which could provide additional legal protections.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE:

“Overdose Cure at Work May Bring Liability Risks,” Business Insurance, December 1, 2023

MORE ABOUT GOLDBERG SEGALLA’S CAROLINE J. BERDZIK:

Caroline J. Berdzik, chair of the firm’s Employment and Labor, Health Care, and Long-Term Care groups, devotes her practice to helping businesses, organizations, and management navigate the panoply of employment law issues, from proactive counseling through alternative dispute resolution and trial. She represents companies in diverse industries such as health care, transportation, retail, construction, insurance, and finance, as well as non-profit organizations and educational and religious institutions.