In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a public health emergency in regards to the Opioid Crisis, but despite those efforts opioid involved overdoses are in the news with increasing frequency.
Potential exposure to illicit drugs is not a new hazard for public agency employees, including first responders, healthcare personnel, and also those in maintenance and operations. However, the level of risk is increasing with the presence of the synthetic opioid Fentanyl which is reported to be 50-100 times more potent than morphine.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has put together a Toolkit to help employers protect workers from occupational exposures to Fentanyl. It contains best practices, body-cam videos, infographics and recommendations for personal protective equipment. These resources can be used in safety meetings to remind employees about this potential risk and how to avoid exposure.
For additional information or assistance, reach out to PRISM Risk Control.