December 15, 2022

As of June 1, 2023, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) will require that naloxone be available in some ‘at-risk’ workplaces in case a worker has an opioid overdose. 

The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development has also announced the launch of a program to make free naloxone kits (and free training) available for these workplaces.

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose, restore breathing within two to five minutes, and allow time for medical help to arrive.

There is no set definition of ‘at-risk workplaces’, but they are generally deemed to be workplaces where there is a risk of staff witnessing or experiencing an opioid overdose. 

Construction is by far the industry most impacted by opioid overdose. Of the workers who died from opioid-related causes last year, 30 per cent were employed in construction 

Bars and nightclubs have also seen increased opioid usage and accidental overdoses, often because of recreational drugs laced with deadly opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanil.

Businesses can determine if they are eligible for the program and find additional information on accessing naloxone kits and training at Ontario.ca/workplacenaloxone.

Note that the new requirements in the OHSA are related specifically to opioid overdose and do not change how an employer may choose to manage worker impairment from drugs or alcohol that may pose a risk to workplace safety.

The full government announcement can be found at this link on the »» Ontario Government website.

Please contact me with any questions you may have or for assistance working through your staffing matters.