SMOHIT, the jointly funded health and safety arm of the signatory sheet metal industry, is now offering free Naloxone (Narcan) cabinets for worksites. Each cabinet contains eight doses of the potent synthetic antagonist for opioid drugs, including morphine and fentanyl.
Boxes contain detailed, illustrated instructions on how to administer the drug in case of suspected overdose, which is as easy as spraying the dose inside the patient’s nose. The metal cabinets are not alarmed and are meant to be hung in highly visible areas.
The cabinets’ doses are available for whoever needs them, whether the suspected overdose occurs on the job or elsewhere. Members can take a box if they’re concerned about a family member or to have on hand. In fact, if an opioid drug is in the medicine cabinet at a worker’s home, they should have a kit at the ready. Senior citizens are often prescribed naloxone in addition to any opioid medication in case of accidental overdose. With children, even teens, in the home, naloxone is a good thing to have on hand in the case the unthinkable happens.
SMOHIT also provides Toolbox Talks; first aid, CPR, and AED training; and other safety resources for free for members. Visit smohit.org to create a profile and login and request these and other resources. ■
