Introduction
How would you safely exit your workplace if an emergency occurred? Are you aware of all available exit routes in case your usual path is blocked or overcrowded? Can you be confident that doors will remain unlocked and hallways clear during critical incidents like fires or explosions? An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is designed to guide and coordinate safe evacuation and response efforts when an employer determines that immediate action is necessary.
An EAP is a formal, written plan that complies with OSH Center standard 1910.38. It should address the types of emergencies most likely to happen at your workplace—whether that’s fires, hazardous chemical spills, severe weather events like hurricanes or tornadoes, snowstorms, floods, or other crises.
Be Prepared to Respond and Recover
Having a well-structured emergency plan, combined with thorough employee training, helps minimize injuries and property damage during an emergency. It’s vital that everyone understands their specific duties and responsibilities outlined in the plan.
Plan Requirements
While emergency action plans must typically be documented in writing, workplaces with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally, provided all employees clearly understand it.