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Fentanyl - An unseen danger for the visiting contractors
America's drug problem has implications for contractors and workers who work in locations where drugs have been used.
CDC data suggests that Americas drug problem is changing - as users look to new highs from new drugs, manufacturers are cutting new synthetic opioids into forms for supply that can have devastating consequences.
Drug related deaths are rising in men and women at alarming rates. However, the drive towards synthetic opioids, other than methadone, is driven by Fentanyl. The drug is particularly dangerous due to the incredibly small levels required to kill people against other traditional drugs.
The hidden problem is that the epidemic is spreading across all drug users and the reality of where these users prepare and administer these drugs can cause particular impact to workers who engage with users outside of their drug taking but within the confines of the places users either use or take their drugs.
Homes, hotels, sports venues, bars and clubs, restaurants all can carry danger, particularly in bathrooms, kitchens and areas where people relax.
Read our full article to learn more about Fentanyl and opioid drug problems for workers here
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Drug users, addicts, will crave their high and often have places where they prefer to get high. Often due to the resulting loss of effective mental control, however, their preparation can be anywhere in the home.
Living Rooms / Bathrooms / Kitchens
Smoking Fentanyl has become the preferred ingestion method as it does not require injection to get the high. Residue from smoking fentanyl is an obvious danger.
The consequences of addiction and drug use can also result in harmful situations from post drug use actions, such as nausea. Vomit can carry residues of harmful drugs, Fentanyl being a clear and obvious danger.
Drugs are also hidden away from view when not being used, hide aways tend to be out of view yet in common areas that are easy to get to, bathrooms, kitchen cupboards as well as more discrete locations tend to also be where contractors come to work.
Visiting contractors can find themselves in drug users homes without knowledge, yet the impact of residue can unknowingly be extremely harmful.
Plumbers / HVAC engineers
Electrical
TV/Cable/Internet installers/repairers
Cleaners
Places where contractors touch can transfer drugs via the hands, the recommendations would for all to wear nitrile gloves suitable to protect against Fentanyl are advised.
Office Buildings Workers trying to find places to hit highs
Hotels Guests using hotels leaving residues
HVAC Engineers Coming into contact with drugs left by users
Home Services Plumbers, electricians and decorators coming into contact with drugs left in bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms
Communications Engineers Often working off the floor and in places where it's difficult to clean, residual drugs can be picked up when users are on their hands and knees.
Outside Spaces
For some users they need to be outside for their fix, homeless and disadvantaged long term drug users do not tend to have the benefit of a home to shoot up in. They rely on hidden away locations where they can use their drugs. This can include construction sites and shut down offices, retail outlets or homes. This leads to high concentrations of drug waste that can create particular hazards from drug paraphernalia.
WORKERS
So whether you are working inside or outside, be careful out there. There are many hidden hazards within you daily job already, but this can be a near invisible killer, so work smart and prepare for every eventuality.
