California Mandates Narcan for First Aid Kits in Workplaces
by Sara Osorio, Environmental, Health and Safety Affairs Coordinator Oct 22, 2024

In what appears to be the first state to do so, on September 27, 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed A.B 1976, the Occupational Safety And Health Standards : Aid Materials : Opioid Antagonists Act. The new law mandates that Naloxone Hydrochloride, commonly known as Narcan, or another United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved opioid antagonist, be included in workplace first aid kits.

Cal/OSHA is required to submit a draft rulemaking proposal to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, an independent body within the Department of Industrial Relations, to revise the current regulations by December 1, 2027, and adopt the requirement by December 1, 2028.

Naloxone Hydrochloride, commonly known by the brand name Narcan, is a life-saving medication that rapidly reverses opioid overdoses. It works by blocking the effects of opioids on the brain and restoring normal breathing in individuals who have overdosed on substances like heroin, fentanyl, or prescription painkillers. Narcan is typically administered as a nasal spray or injection and can be safely used by both medical professionals and trained bystanders during emergency situations.

The law states that an individual who administers naloxone hydrochloride or another FDA-approved opioid antagonist to reverse an opioid overdose in a suspected emergency will not be liable for civil damages. It also exempts individuals licensed through local emergency medical services agencies from responsibility for administering nasal naloxone or other FDA-approved opioid antagonists, regardless of certification for that activity, unless they were acting as paid first responders at the time of the incident.

The law, introduced by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), has garnered support from the California Emergency Nurses Association and numerous law enforcement organizations. Haney emphasized that the measure would significantly improve access to naloxone, ultimately saving more lives because “If fentanyl remains more accessible than naloxone, overdose deaths in our communities will continue to rise.”

In this article, Sara Osorio, Coordinator, EHS Affairs, PRINTING United Alliance, discusses California’s new regulations requiring Narcan in workplace first aid kits. More information about this and other workplace safety issues can be found at Business Excellence-EHS Affairsor reach out to Sara directly if you have questions about how these issues may affect your business: sosorio@printing.org.   
 
To become a member of PRINTING United Alliance and learn more about how our subject matter experts can assist your company with services and resources such as those mentioned in this article, please contact the Alliance membership team: 888-385-3588 / membership@printing.org. 

Business California Health / Safety
Sara Osorio Environmental, Health and Safety Affairs Coordinator
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Sara Osorio is the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Affairs Coordinator at PRINTING United Alliance. Her primary responsibility is to assist members with EHS regulatory compliance, sustainability, and EHS consulting. Sara also monitors the EHS regulatory activities at the federal and state-level that impact the printing industry including those occurring at Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and other agencies. She develops guidance material for members, gives presentations, and writes articles on EHS regulations and sustainability issues. She also supports the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership and Alliance members in their efforts to certify printing operations in sustainable manufacturing.

Sara received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from Florida International University and is pursuing and Master of Science in Sustainable Management from the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay.

Speaking Topics:

  • Regulatory compliance and sustainability
  • Webinars on a wide variety of EHS related topics
  • Customized seminars and workshops
  • Employee training on safety and environmental compliance

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