As of June 1, 2023, employers must provide naloxone in the workplace if certain circumstances described in the Occupational Health and Safety Act apply.

Employers must provide a naloxone kit when an employer becomes aware, or ought to reasonably be aware, of the following scenarios:

• There is a risk of a worker opioid overdose
• There is a risk that the worker overdoses while in a workplace where they perform work for the employer
• The risk is posed by a worker who performs work for the employer.

If all of these scenarios are present, the employer must comply with the OHSA requirements to provide naloxone in the workplace.  If any one of these scenarios are not present, an employer does not need to comply with the OHSA requirements to provide naloxone in the workplace.

Naloxone is a drug that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and allow time for medical help to arrive.

Information from the Ontario Government to note:

• In 2020, 30% of workers who died from opioid-related causes were employed in construction.
• The construction and manufacturing sectors account for 45% of participating workplaces.
• Employers who do not comply with their obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act may be subject to orders and, where appropriate, prosecution.

For more information, click here.