14 Mar Emergency Action Plan

Emergency Action Plan

An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) establishes the procedures employees must follow during fires, explosions, severe weather, chemical releases, workplace violence, medical emergencies, and other events that could threaten employee safety. Employees must understand how emergencies are reported, when to evacuate or shelter in place, where to assemble, and how personnel will be accounted for.

Under 29 CFR 1910.38, an Emergency Action Plan must be in writing and maintained in the workplace when an employer has more than 10 employees. Employers with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally.

Emergency Plan Coordinator

The designated Emergency Plan Coordinator is responsible for maintaining the Emergency Action Plan and coordinating emergency preparedness activities.

The Coordinator should ensure that:

• Emergency procedures remain current and appropriate for the workplace.
• Employees understand evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures.
• Emergency escape routes and assembly areas are established and communicated.
• Emergency contact information is maintained.
• Employees assigned emergency responsibilities receive appropriate training.
• Drills are conducted as appropriate.
• The plan is reviewed whenever workplace conditions or employee responsibilities change.

Employees should know who the Emergency Plan Coordinator is and how to contact that person.

Reporting Emergencies

Employees must immediately report fires, explosions, chemical spills or releases, medical emergencies, threats or acts of violence, and other emergency conditions according to established workplace procedures.

Depending on the facility, emergencies may be reported using:

• Emergency telephone numbers or 911.
• Internal telephone or radio systems.
• Manual alarm stations.
• Public-address or intercom systems.
• Supervisors or designated emergency personnel.

Employees should know how to report an emergency and how to activate the workplace emergency alarm system before an emergency occurs.

Emergency Alarms

Emergency alarm systems must provide adequate warning for employees to take the appropriate emergency action. Where different alarms are used for evacuation, sheltering in place, or other responses, employees must be able to recognize what each alarm means.

Never ignore an emergency alarm or assume that it is a false alarm.

Evacuation Procedures

When an evacuation is ordered:

• Stop work and follow established emergency procedures.
• Shut down equipment only if specifically assigned and it can be done safely.
• Use the designated emergency escape route.
• Do not delay evacuation to collect personal belongings.
• Assist visitors or others when assigned to do so.
• Proceed directly to the designated assembly or rally point.
• Remain at the assembly point until accounted for.
• Do not leave the assembly area without notifying the person responsible for accountability.
• Never re-enter an evacuated building or work area until authorized by emergency personnel or management.

Emergency exits and escape routes must remain unobstructed and available for immediate use.

Employees Performing Critical Operations

Some emergencies may require specifically designated and trained employees to remain temporarily in an affected area to shut down equipment or perform other critical operations before evacuating.

Only employees who have been specifically assigned, trained, and authorized may perform these duties. No employee should remain behind unless the Emergency Action Plan assigns that responsibility and provides procedures for performing it safely.

Employee Accountability

After evacuation, employees must immediately report to their designated assembly or rally point.

Supervisors or designated personnel will account for employees by name and report missing persons to the Emergency Plan Coordinator or emergency responders.

Employees must never return to an evacuated area to search for a missing coworker. Search and rescue should be performed only by appropriately trained and equipped personnel.

Sheltering in Place

Some emergencies may make evacuation more dangerous than remaining inside. Severe weather, hazardous-material releases, or certain security emergencies may require employees to shelter in place.

When instructed to shelter in place:

• Proceed promptly to the designated shelter area.
• Follow instructions from supervisors or emergency personnel.
• Stay away from exterior windows and doors when appropriate.
• Close doors or take other protective measures when instructed.
• Remain in the shelter area until the all-clear or further instructions are provided.

Employees should understand the difference between an evacuation alarm and a shelter-in-place instruction.

Fire Extinguishers

Employees should understand the company’s policy regarding portable fire extinguisher use.

Employees who are not designated and trained to use fire extinguishers should evacuate and report the fire rather than attempt to fight it. Employees authorized to use extinguishers must receive the training required for their assigned responsibilities.

Never attempt to fight a fire if it is spreading, produces significant smoke, blocks your escape route, or cannot be controlled safely.

Rescue, Medical, and First-Aid Duties

Only employees who have been designated, appropriately trained, and equipped should perform assigned rescue, first-aid, or medical duties.

Where outside emergency services provide rescue and medical assistance, employees should know how to contact those services and provide responders with accurate information about the emergency and location.

Training

Employees must be informed of the Emergency Action Plan when initially assigned to a job and whenever their responsibilities or emergency procedures change.

Training should address:

• Methods for reporting emergencies.
• Emergency alarm signals and their meanings.
• Evacuation routes and exits.
• Assembly or rally-point locations.
• Employee accountability procedures.
• Shelter-in-place procedures.
• Assigned emergency responsibilities.
• Fire extinguisher policy.
• Emergency contact information.
• Procedures for assisting visitors and others who may require assistance.

Emergency procedures should be periodically reviewed and practiced so employees can respond quickly and correctly when an actual emergency occurs.

Remember

During an emergency, know how to report the emergency, recognize the alarm, follow the appropriate evacuation or shelter procedure, report to your designated assembly point, and wait for further instructions. Good emergency planning only works when employees know the plan before an emergency happens.