The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) released a study titled “Drug Overdose Deaths at Work, 2011-2016” which compares fatality rates among demographic groups and industries. They found that in those years, 760 workplace drug overdoses occurred, a fatality rate of 0.9 per 1,000,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers.

They also found that workplace overdose fatality rates increased 24% per year. They were highest in the transportation and mining industries, with 3 and 2.6 per 1,000,000 FTEs, respectively. Almost half of workplace overdose deaths occurred in just three industries- transportation and warehousing, construction, and healthcare and social assistance.

A third of these fatalities occurred in workplaces with less than 10 employees. Heroin was the drug most frequently documented, presenting itself in 17% of cases. The largest category of drugs used in workplace overdose deaths were illicit drugs like cocaine, cannabinoids and heroin.

Drug use can be a personal risk for work-related injuries, as well as a consequence of a workplace injury. Opioids may be prescribed after an injury and can run the risk of misuse, which could impact return to work or a worker’s safe workplace practices when they do return to work. It also increases the risk for opioid use disorder or death.

“Better understanding the demographics of workers, and the workers and industries most affected by drug overdoses, has implications on prevention programs developed for workplaces,” said Dr. Hope Tiesman, research epidemiologist and lead author of the study. “This research also has implications for workplace-based messages and strategies.”

Read the press release from NIOSH and check out the study here.