Arlington, Va. – September 19, 2026 -- The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) has released ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2026, the sixth revision of the American National Standard for workplace first aid kits, now recommending naloxone as a standard supply amid rising opioid-related deaths on the job.
Overdose deaths now account for nearly 10% of workplace fatalities
Fatal overdoses represent close to 10 percent of workplace deaths, yet only 28 percent of employers report being fully stocked with naloxone at worksites, according to a National Safety Council survey cited by ISEA. CDC data show more than 80,000 drug overdose deaths in 2024, with opioids involved in the majority of cases.
Standard recommends two naloxone nasal sprays per kit
The revised Z308.1-2026 recommends employers keep at least two naloxone nasal sprays in a clearly labeled kit stored in plain view near other emergency supplies. "First aid supplies should be ready for the emergencies most likely to happen in your workplace," said Cam Mackey, President & CEO of ISEA. "For millions of American workers, that now includes an opioid overdose."
New York and California laws set December 2026 deadlines
New York enacted legislation requiring employers subject to OSHA first aid rules to stock an opioid antagonist such as naloxone, with a full effective date of December 13, 2026. California has passed a law directing Cal/OSHA to draft regulations mandating naloxone nasal spray in workplace first aid kits, with its Standards Board required to adopt revised rules by December 31, 2026. ISEA positions the voluntary Z308.1-2026 framework as a way for employers to act ahead of these state mandates.
Revision overhauls tourniquet and bleeding-control specifications
The standard now distinguishes arterial tourniquets from elastic bands used for drawing blood, which it flags as ineffective at stopping blood loss, while also warning of a proliferation of counterfeit tourniquets. New guidance covers supplemental bleed-control kits — chest seals, hemostatic bandages, compression bandages, and thermal blankets — for higher-risk work environments.
Mobile worker and training guidance expanded
The revision adds guidance for mobile and field workers on hazard assessment across changing job sites, timing for moving kits from vehicles to worksites, and field restocking. It also introduces expanded training guidance covering CPR and AED readiness, responder staffing levels, and product-specific awareness training, plus updated guidance on anti-choking devices. First Aid Guides accompanying kits must now be provided in both English and Spanish.
Industry group frames update as move beyond minimum compliance
"Conformance to ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2026 gives employers confidence that their workplace first aid supplies are aligned with current best practices and evolving occupational risks," said Todd Van Houten, Chair of the ISEA First Aid Product Group and Senior Director Digital Customer Experience at Cintas. Z308.1 is a voluntary consensus standard referenced by OSHA as a recommended minimum guideline and has been incorporated into occupational safety regulations across numerous states.