Opioid use is increasing in Canada. As it increases, so too does the number of opioid-related deaths. In 2018, 12.7% of Canadians reported having used opioids for pain relief. Among these people, 9.6% (351,000 people) engaged in problematic use
(use that can cause harm or death). Canada continues to be in a continually
growing opioid-related public health emergency. In response to the crisis, all provincially regulated workplaces in Ontario have had to assess whether they need to provide life-saving naloxone kits in their workplace, effective June 1st, 2023.
Review more statistics about the opioid crisis in Canada.
What are Opioids and Why are they Dangerous?
Opioids are a broad class of pain-relieving narcotics. They’re made from either poppy plants or they’re lab synthesized. They work by interacting with opioid receptors to dull pain and increase feelings of pleasure. For these reasons, opioids are dangerous. The feelings of pleasure derived from taking opioids can result in addiction. When a person takes too much, their breathing and heart rate slow, which could result in death. Common opioids include oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine, heroin, codeine, and fentanyl.
Take an online opioid awareness course today!
What is Naloxone?
Naloxone is a drug that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It is delivered by intramuscular injection or as a nasal spray. Using a naloxone kit when a person has overdosed on opioids buys valuable time for first responders and emergency medical care providers to deliver life-saving care.
Naloxone and Workplace Safety
Ontario’s Bill 88 (The Working for Workers Act) introduced a new obligation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to provide naloxone kits when they become
aware of a risk for a worker experiencing an opioid overdose at work. Not all employers need to provide naloxone in the workplace unless they are aware or
ought reasonably to be aware of the following scenarios:
There is a risk of 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
An employer may become aware of an opioid overdose risk in a
variety of ways, such as:
An employee has overdosed in the workplace in the past
A worker with opioid addiction may voluntarily disclose the risk to the employer
Employers may observe opioid use among workers occurring in the workplace or they may discover it during a workplace investigation
Employers or other employees may find discard paraphernalia
The risk may be brought to the employer’s attention via the JHSC, HR, or someone else
There is more information available at Ontario.ca to help employers determine if they are obligated to provide naloxone in the workplace.
Learn more about Naloxone in the workplace
Do Employers Have to Accommodate Workers with Opioid Addictions?
Yes, they do, up to the point of undue hardship. Just like an employer must accommodate an employee with a physical or mental illness, they must also accommodate workers who recreationally use and/or are addicted to opioids. You can support employees by helping them access more information or support if
necessary. If your organization’s benefits package includes an Employee
Assistance Plan (EAP), be sure to share that resource with employees in need of
support.
Paying for wellness pays off! Learn more
While employers must support workers with addiction, intoxication in the workplace remains a hazard. Employers must be educated on their rights – employees cannot come to work intoxicated or unfit for duty.
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Trust MSW
MSW offers an online Opioid Awareness module.
You can trust MSW to provide you with cost-effective training solutions tailored to meet your organization’s unique health and
safety needs.
To ask to learn more, contact us online or call 289.309.1143. Visit us 24/7 on the web at mswsafety.ca
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