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Province Introduces Legislation to Mandate Naloxone Kits for High-Risk Workplaces

Tuesday, 1 March 2022 09:56

If it's passed in the legislature, Working for Workers Act 2 would require construction sites, bars and nightclubs to have naloxone kits on site in case of an overdose.

ONTARIO - The Ford Government would like all high-risk workplaces to have naloxone kits on hand in case of an overdose.

The province unveiled the Working for Workers Act, 2022 (Working for Workers Act 2) this morning. If it's passed in the legislature, it would require construction sites, bars and nightclubs to have naloxone kits on site. Employees would be required to know how to use the kits, so they could administer naloxone to their co-workers and clients if need be. High-risk workplaces who fail to have the kits on site could also face a large fine.

Naloxone is a medication that can help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose until paramedics arrive on scene.

About 2,500 people died of an opioid overdose between March 2020 and January 2021, and about 30-percent of the employed victims worked in construction. The province has also seen an increase in opioid usage in bars and nightclubs.

The legislation also includes increased fines to the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Businesses who fail to provide a safe work environment for their employees could be fined up to $1.5-million if they're convicted, while individuals could be fined up to $500,000.

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