Ten Tips For Developing An Emergency Plan

According to OSHA regulations, the Emergency Action Plans (29 CFR 1910.38) for any facility must contain the following in order to be effective and compliant:

1. An Emergency Action Plan must be in writing, kept in the workplace, and available to employees for review. If there are less than 10 employees, oral communication may be satisfactory, but it’s highly recommend it be in writing.

2. Proper procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency must be specified.

3. Procedures for emergency evacuation, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments, must be outlined.

4. Develop a procedure to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate.

5. Outline a plan of action to account for all employees after an evacuation.

6. Initiate procedures to be followed by employees performing rescue or medical duties.

7. List the names or job titles of every employee who may be contacted by building occupants that need more information about the plan, or an explanation of their duties under the plan.

8. The employer must have and maintain an employee alarm system. The employee alarm must use a distinctive signal for each purpose and comply with the requirements. Managers should train their staff to ensure that all recognize the sound for the emergency alarm.

9. An employer must designate and train employees to assist in a safe and orderly evacuation of building occupants. It’s important to take into account and plan for the assistance requirements of any building occupants with special needs.

10. An employer must review the Emergency Action Plan with each employee covered by the plan. This should occur when the plan is initially developed or when a new employee is assigned to the job, when responsibilities under the plan change, or when the plan itself changes.