Hersman: Employers have ‘moral and legal responsibility’ to address worker painkiller use

The National Safety Council is urging employers to develop a workplace policy on the use of opioid painkillers. NSC has reviewed research and court cases that show the negative effects of this drug use on employee safety and workers’ compensation costs, and has released a report detailing its findings.

“Employers have a moral and legal responsibility to protect their employees,” Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council, said in a press release. “Addressing the use and abuse of prescription painkillers is as important as identifying drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace.”