ISEA Updates Workplace First Aid Standard to Include Naloxone

The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) has released the updated ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2026, the American National Standard for Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits and Supplies. This is the sixth revision of the foundational standard, first published in 1978, and reflects the evolving realities of today's workplaces, where opioid overdoses now account for nearly 10 percent of workplace deaths.

According to the National Safety Council, only 28 percent of employers report being fully stocked with naloxone at their worksites. The updated standard includes the inclusion of naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication, as a recommended item in or near workplace first aid kits. Employers are encouraged to keep at least two naloxone nasal sprays in a clearly labeled kit near other emergency supplies, stored in plain view.

The update arrives at a pivotal moment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that more than 80,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2024, with the majority involving opioids. This highlights the growing need for employers to be prepared to respond to such emergencies.

ISEA President & CEO Cam Mackey stated, "First aid supplies should be ready for the emergencies most likely to happen in your workplace. For millions of American workers, that now includes an opioid overdose. This revised standard reflects that reality."

The timing of the update aligns with growing legislative momentum. New York enacted legislation last year requiring employers subject to OSHA first aid requirements to maintain an opioid antagonist, such as naloxone, as part of their workplace supplies, with a full effective date of December 13, 2026. California has enacted a law requiring Cal/OSHA to draft regulations mandating naloxone nasal spray in workplace first aid kits, with the Standards Board required to adopt revised standards by December 31, 2026.

The updated ISEA standard gives employers a voluntary framework to get ahead of that regulatory curve now. Beyond naloxone, the revised standard includes several additional notable updates, including:

- Clarified tourniquet specifications to distinguish arterial tourniquets from the elastic bands used for drawing blood, which are not effective at stopping blood loss. The standard also flags a proliferation of counterfeit tourniquets as an active concern for employers. - Bleeding control guidance now addresses supplemental bleed control kits, including chest seals, hemostatic bandages, compression bandages, and thermal blankets, for employers in higher-risk environments. - Guidance on mobile and field workers now addresses how to assess hazards across changing job sites, when to bring first aid kits from vehicles to worksites, and how to manage restocking in the field. - Guidance on first aid training and emergency response readiness has been added to cover CPR and AED preparedness, staffing levels for trained responders, product-specific awareness training, and more. - Updated guidance on anti-choking devices as supplemental supplies. - The First Aid Guide that accompanies each first aid kit must now be provided in both English and Spanish.

ISEA, which protects more than 126 million workers in America, has been a recognized leader in the development of ANSI-accredited safety equipment standards for over 90 years. The organization advocates on behalf of the industry for policies that improve worker safety, delivers actionable insights into the safety equipment market, develops critical skills for safety sales professionals, and provides a unique forum for collaboration, learning, and growth.

The updated standard can be accessed here: bit.ly/z308standard.