If someone on your team has an opioid overdose at work, the first few minutes decide what happens next. Naloxone, often sold as the brand Narcan, can reverse it in that window. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 512 unintentional overdose deaths in US workplaces in 2023, close to 10% of all occupational fatalities that year.
Naloxone is available over the counter, no prescription needed, and it's safe to use even if the person turns out not to have opioids in their system. Keep it where you'd keep a first aid kit or an AED, somewhere obvious, not buried in a supply closet.
What New York Law Requires
Labor Law Section 27-f, enacted December 13, 2025 and amended in February 2026, requires private employers who must keep OSHA first aid supplies on-site (under 29 CFR 1910.151) to add an opioid antagonist, naloxone, for instance, to those supplies. The requirement takes effect December 12, 2026. It excludes government employers; this is a private-sector rule only.
The February amendment clarified two things you'll want to know. "Employer" means any business entity, not the state or its political subdivisions. "Opioid antagonist" follows the definition in Public Health Law Section 3309: any FDA-approved drug that reverses an opioid's effects. Naloxone qualifies, and so does anything else the Department of Health approves for the same purpose.
If you run the first aid program, this lands on your desk. New York's Department of Labor and Department of Health still need to issue the regulations that will spell out how many units you'll need and how training should work.
Why This Matters Outside New York, Too
New York is the first state to pass a requirement like this. A federal bill, the WORK to Save Lives Act, reached Congress in February 2026, but it took a different approach: it would direct the Department of Labor to issue voluntary guidance, not a mandate like New York's.
What's in the Overdose Kit
Redicare offers an Overdose Kit as an optional upgrade to your Redicare cabinet. It provides the naloxone needed to prevent a fatal outcome in those critical first minutes of an opioid overdose.
Adding this to your first aid cabinets starts with a conversation. Talk to one of our specialists about what it looks like for your program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply to us if we're not in New York?
No. Section 27-f only covers private employers in New York State.
What counts as an "opioid antagonist" under the law?
Any FDA-approved drug that reverses opioid effects, per Public Health Law Section 3309. Naloxone is the main example, but the definition isn't limited to it.
Which OTC naloxone products are available?
FDA-approved OTC options include Narcan, Rextovy, and RiVive. Two doses of naloxone typically cost less than $50 on average, though prices vary by retailer.