Developing the Emergency Action Plan
The EAP Must Meet Specific Needs
A simple "Emergency Action Plan" will work in offices, small retail shops, and small manufacturing settings where there are few or no hazardous materials or processes, and employees evacuate when alarms sound or when notified by public address systems.
Office Emergency Action Plan Guide
More complex plans may be required in workplaces containing hazardous materials or workplaces where employees fight fires, perform rescue and medical tasks, or delay evacuation after alarms sound to shut down critical equipment.
It is essential that the EAP be site specific with respect to emergency conditions evaluated, evacuation policies and procedures, emergency reporting, and alarm systems. To assist you in your planning, take a look at this sample vulnerability analysis that will help you identify issues that must be considered when drafting a comprehensive emergency action plan. An explanation of each issue and/or examples of how each issue might be addressed in typical workplaces is provided.
The best emergency action plans include employees in the planning process, specify what employees should do during an emergency, and ensure that employees receive proper training for emergencies. When you include your employees in your planning, encourage them to offer suggestions about potential hazards, worst-case scenarios, and proper emergency responses.
During development and implementation of your draft plan, think about all possible emergency situations and evaluate your workplace to see if it complies with OSHA's emergency standards.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-1. EAP evacuation policies and procedures, emergency reporting, and alarm systems should be _____.
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