Emergency medical services (EMS) providers, firefighters, and law enforcement personnel are among those who may encounter illicitly-manufactured drugs during their work. Given the potential for exposure to these drugs and the hazardous substances used to produce them, it is important that workers in these industries understand how to protect themselves. The Worker Training Program (WTP) has developed an awareness-level training tool on the prevention of occupational exposure to fentanyl and other opioids. Several WTP awardees have also developed training courses for workers who may be involved in a methamphetamine (meth) lab discovery or a meth lab cleanup. These resources are found below, along with additional health and safety resources related to occupational exposure to opioids and the hazards associated with clandestine meth labs.

Training Resources

The National Clearinghouse creates training tools to aid in the development of awareness-level courses or other awareness-level materials. These tools provide health and safety guidance to those involved in disaster response and cleanup activities.

Fentanyl and Other Opioids Training Tool

• Opioids Training Tool Fact Sheet(3.8MB)
• Prevention of Occupational Exposure to Fentanyl and Other Opioids(41MB)
• Prevention of Occupational Exposure to Fentanyl and Other Opioids(4MB)

WTP Awardee Resources

• OAI, Inc.
  • Methamphetamine Awareness
• Western Region Universities Consortium (WRUC)
  • Clandestine Drug Lab Cleanup – A HAZWOPER Supplement

Federal Links and Documents

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)

• Managing Hazardous Materials Incidents Series
• Toxic Substances Portal

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Emergency Preparedness and Response: Opioids

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

• Fentanyl: Protecting Workers at Risk
• Opioids and Work
• Science Blog: Fentanyl Exposure Risks for Law Enforcement and Emergency Response Workers

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

• Hazardous Waste Page
• The Application of HAZWOPER to Worksite Response and Cleanup Activities

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

• Proceedings from the 2017 Fentanyl Working Meeting

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• C-FERST Issue Profile: Methamphetamine Labs

Other

• InterAgency Board Recommendations on Selection and Use of PPE and Decontamination Products for First Responders Against Exposure Hazards to Synthetic Opioids, Including Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analogues

State/Local Links and Documents

• Massachusetts Health Officers Association and Education Development Center: Opioid Toolkit
• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: Fentanyl Safety for First Responders

Please refer to your state or local health department website for additional guidance on health risks related to occupational exposure to opioids and other illicit drugs.

Other Links and Documents

• Justice Institute of British Columbia: Fentanyl Safety for First Responders
• National Academy of Medicine Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic