Updated Workplace First Aid Standard Adds Naloxone Amid Growing Overdose Crisis

Revised ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 Reflects a Changing Workplace — From Bleeding Control to Overdose Response

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) has released ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2026, the American National Standard for Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits and Supplies. The sixth revision of the foundational standard — first published in 1978 — reflects the realities of today's workplaces, where opioid overdoses now account for a significant share of on-the-job deaths, and advances guidance on bleeding control, tourniquet specifications, and emergency preparedness for mobile workers.

Naloxone: Now Part of the Standard

One of the most significant updates is the inclusion of naloxone — an opioid overdose reversal medication — as a recommended item in or near workplace first aid kits. Workplaces 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. Fatal overdoses account for nearly 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. According to CDC data, more than 80,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2024, with the majority involving opioids.

"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. This revised standard reflects that reality."

The timing 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.

What's New

Beyond naloxone, the revised standard includes several additional notable updates:

• Tourniquet specifications clarified 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.

"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. "This important revision helps organizations move beyond minimum compliance toward a more effective emergency response strategy — whether that means treating severe bleeding, supporting mobile workers, or responding to an opioid overdose before EMS arrives."

About the Standard

ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 is a voluntary consensus standard referenced by OSHA as a recommended minimum guideline for workplace first aid supplies. It is widely adopted across industries and has been incorporated into occupational safety regulations in numerous states.

Get the revised standard here: bit.ly/z308standard 

Learn more about First Aid in the workplace here: safetyequipment.org/first-aid.

Learn more about Opioid Overdose Response in the workplace here: safetyequipment.org/naloxone.

About ISEA 
ISEA is the voice of the safety equipment industry, which protects more than 126 million workers in America. For more than 90 years, we have been a recognized leader in the development of ANSI-accredited safety equipment standards. We advocate on behalf of the industry for policies that improve worker safety, deliver actionable insights into the safety equipment market, develop critical skills for safety sales professionals, and provide a unique forum for collaboration, learning and growth. Visit safetyequipment.org to learn more.

Media Contact

Nicole Randall
Senior Director, Marketing & Communications
International Safety Equipment Association
Mobile: 202-330-2432
Email: mailto:[email protected]

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SOURCE International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA)