Compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) should always be a priority for employers. However, it is a best management practice to go above and beyond what OSHA requires. For the safety of your employees, as well as the continued success of your company, this can be no truer than when referring to an Emergency Action Plan (EAP). Due the surprising nature of an emergency, it is always better to be proactive rather than reactive. It is also better to err on the side of safety. Therefore, it is important to have a detailed Emergency Action Plan in place at your company to protect employees from serious injury or death and any property loss that might result.

Key Elements of an Emergency Action Plan:

Effective preparation for an emergency should include the following components:

1. EVALUATION

   • Assess the extent of all potential emergencies that could occur at your company. Remember to try to expect the unexpected. At a minimum, the following should be addressed, if applicable:

     • Fires

     • Tornados

     • Earthquakes

     • Workplace violence

     • Bomb threats

     • Hazardous chemical spills

     • Other types of circumstances that should be looked at as well but not limited to are active shooter events, flooding, and power failures.

2. DETECTION

   • It is imperative that protocol be established to detect the emergency and a notification system such as an alarm be implemented to inform necessary parties about the ensuing situation. These alarms should be distinctive to the emergency at hand for successful conveyance of the required response to all employees.

3. REPORTING AND RESPONSE PROCEDURES

   • Procedures need to be created for each emergency that is deemed a risk. Such procedures should include:

     • a plan of action

     • internal and external reporting instructions

     • emergency contact information

     • medical and rescue

     • utility controls

     • critical operation assignments

     • evacuation along with shelter-in-place protocols

4. EMPLOYEE ACCOUNTABILITY

   • Procedures need to be created that account for all affected employees after an evacuation but is also recommended during shelter-in-place scenarios.

5. INFORMATION

   • Several dedicated individuals should be assigned as a source of information for other employees regarding the Emergency Action Plan. These people would be available to others to explain the overall process as well as various roles and responsibilities.

6. TRAINING

   • At a minimum, employees must be trained on safe and orderly evacuation of the premises but also on shelter-in-place practices. Employees should be familiar with the different alarm systems, response procedures, individual responsibilities, and where to go for emergency information. A review must take place with each employee upon initial assignment of their position, whenever their responsibilities under the plan change, and when the plan changes.

Preventive Measures to Reduce Risk:

It is recommended that preventive measures be established to reduce risk. Some common practices might include:  

• Maintaining an organized and clean facility with clear unobstructed paths to all exits.

• Having fire extinguishers readily available as well as other types of fire suppression as needed.

• Proper storage and handling of hazardous chemicals and waste. 

• Securement of the facility and controlling access.

• Procedures for hot work.

• Restrictions for smoking cigarettes onsite.

It must be noted as well that if a company has 10 or fewer employees, OSHA allows for Emergency Action Plans to just be communicated orally to everyone. If there are more than 10 employees then it is required that the plan be written, kept in the workplace, and made readily available. Regardless of the size of the company though, an emergency action plan must be effectively thought through, established, and implemented accordingly. 

KERAMIDA is a full-service Security, Environmental, Health and Safety consulting firm that has decades of experience developing OSHA-required programs and providing risk management to clients throughout the U.S. KERAMIDA can develop a comprehensive Emergency Action Plan that is specific to your company and assist with its full implementation. Contact us for a quick response or call (800) 508-8034 to speak with one of our professionals today.

Blog Author

Andrew Tirmenstein
Senior Project Manager, Security, Health and Safety Services
ISO 45001 & ISO 14001 Auditor
KERAMIDA Inc.

Contact Andrew at atirmenstein@keramida.com.