Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Fight Opioid Overdoses in the Workplace
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon introduced bipartisan and bicameral legislation aimed at preventing opioid overdoses and increasing access to overdose reversal medications like naloxone, also known as Narcan. The Workplace Overdose Reversal Kits (WORK) to Save Lives Act will require the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue guidance to employers regarding opioid overdose reversal medication attainment, usage, and training.
Drug overdose deaths increased by over 30% within the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, approximately 83,000 opioid-involved drug overdose deaths were reported in the U.S. The National Safety Council found that while 75% of employers reported seeing opioid use impact their workplace, only 17% were able to report being well-prepared to address it.
“COVID-19 shone a light on an opioid epidemic that has been developing for decades. Workplaces across the country are dealing with the fallout from our failure to address this crisis,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. “The WORK To Save Lives Act will finally give workplaces the tools to save workers who are struggling with opioid addiction. Getting these overdose reversal medications - and training in their use - to as many employers as possible has the potential to save countless lives.”
“Naloxone saves lives, and ensuring workplaces have access to it is an important part of what needs to be a multi-pronged effort to tackle opioid overdoses,” said Senator Merkley. “With bipartisan support in both chambers, now is the time to deliver a common-sense solution to the opioid crisis and give our communities the tools to fight this epidemic.”
“I am proud to join my bipartisan colleagues to introduce the WORK to Save Lives Act. Our bill would help equip workplaces with the skills and tools needed to administer lifesaving opioid overdose reversal medication in real time,” said Congressman John Rutherford (FL-05), member of the Bipartisan Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Task Force. “While I am also focused on stopping the illicit fentanyl from coming into our country, our commonsense bill would truly save lives.”
“Opioid overdoses are increasingly claiming lives in the workplace, underscoring how deeply this crisis has embedded itself in everyday life,” said Senator Murkowski. “This legislation will give workplaces the opportunity to equip employees with access to the training and resources they need to respond to an emergency overdose in the workplace. Ensuring these medications are readily available, and that individuals are trained to administer them, will save lives.”
To prepare workplaces in the event of an opioid overdose, the WORK to Save Lives Act would do the following:
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The Secretary of Labor will, through OSHA, issue nonmandatory guidance to employers on acquiring and maintaining opioid overdose reversal medication and train employees on an annual basis on the usage of such medication.
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The Secretary of Labor will, through OSHA, issue mandatory regulations for federal agencies on acquiring and maintaining opioid overdose reversal medication and train employees on an annual basis on the usage of such medication.
The National Safety Council, the SAFE Project, and the Global Health Advocacy Incubator have endorsed the WORK to Save Lives Act.
“Workplace overdose deaths are occurring at devastating rates, largely fueled by opioids, but the good news is we have more tools available today to save these lives,” said Lorraine Martin, CEO of the National Safety Council.” The National Safety Council commends the sponsors of the WORK to Save Lives Act for championing expanded access to the life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication naloxone in workplaces. We urge support for making naloxone a critical component of workplace emergency preparedness to help save a life.”
“The WORK to Save Lives Act is smart, bipartisan leadership,” said Libby Jones, Associate Vice President, Global Health Advocacy Incubator, Overdose Prevention Initiative. “It directs OSHA to provide non-mandatory workplace guidance on overdose reversal medication and annual training, and it strengthens readiness across federal workplaces. This is a practical step Congress can advance quickly to help keep workers safe.”
The WORK to Save Lives Act is cosponsored by: John Rutherford (FL-05), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Andre Carson (IN-07), Angie Craig (MN-02), Danny Davis (IL-07), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12)
A companion bill has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR).
The bill can be read in its entirety here.