Fentanyl in Construction: “Fentanyl on the Jobsite” Episode Resources

Construction workers have the highest drug overdose death rate of any occupation, and fentanyl is driving it onto jobsites across San Diego. This is the resource hub for “Fentanyl on the Jobsite” with Bill Perno, a two-part series on our podcast Coastlines to Cranes, built to help crews recognize the risk and respond.

Part 1 breaks down what fentanyl is, how it’s reaching construction sites, and the warning signs to watch for at work. Part 2 covers how to respond in an emergency, what California law says, how Narcan (naloxone) works and where it falls short, and the wider drug data that puts the problem in context.

If you’re a contractor, safety lead, foreman, or crew member, bookmark this page and share it. Everything mentioned in the conversation is linked below, ready to use for a toolbox talk, safety meeting, or crew training.

Across both episodes, you’ll learn how to:

  • Recognize what fentanyl is and how it’s reaching construction crews
  • Spot the warning signs of impairment or overdose on site
  • Respond in an emergency, including how and when to use Narcan (naloxone)
  • Understand California’s Good Samaritan law and the protections that cover you
  • Put the risk in perspective with current data on drugs in the trades

Watch or Listen

Part 1: The Warning Signs

Part 2: How to Respond

Frequently Asked Questions

Construction workers have the highest drug overdose death rate of any occupation. Physically demanding work leads to frequent injuries, and workers are often prescribed opioid painkillers to stay on the job, which can lead to dependence. With fentanyl now common in counterfeit pills and other street drugs, that raises overdose risk both on and off the jobsite.

Warning signs of a fentanyl overdose include unresponsiveness or not waking up, slow or stopped breathing, choking or gurgling sounds, blue or gray lips and fingertips, pinpoint pupils, and a limp body. If you suspect an overdose, call 911, give naloxone if it is available, and stay with the person until help arrives.

Narcan (naloxone) is not yet required on construction jobsites, but a requirement is on the way. In September 2024, California enacted AB 1976, which directs Cal/OSHA to write rules adding naloxone to the first-aid supplies required at most workplaces. That rulemaking is still in progress, with a proposal due by late 2027 and new standards expected in 2028. Employers can stock naloxone voluntarily today, and California’s Good Samaritan law (Health and Safety Code 11376.5) protects anyone who administers it in good faith during a suspected overdose.

Episode Resources