Emergency Action Plan Safety Topic

This section addresses the purpose and employer responsibilities of an emergency action plan (EAP).

An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) facilitates and organizes employer and employee actions and evacuations in the case of a workplace emergency. Though OSHA does not require all facilities to have one- it is strongly recommended. However, an EAP is required by OSHA for any facility requiring personnel to evacuate when a fire alarm is sounded. Any facilities with fixed extinguishing systems and fire detection systems must also develop an EAP.

There are regulatory requirements to be aware of when developing an EAP for unique types of workplaces. For example, workplaces where employees may be exposed to specific hazardous chemicals or utilize special operations (e.g. working in confined spaces) require written plans for releasing substances and/or handling emergencies.

General Industry Requirements

The EAP must address procedures for all emergency situations that the employer may reasonably expect to occur. It must be in writing, kept in the workplace, and available to employees. It must also be available to employees and personnel for review upon initial development, if/when changes to the EAP or…