Emergency and Evacuation Planning Guide for Employers
Emergency Action Plan
The purpose of an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is
to facilitate and organize employer and employee actions during workplace
emergencies. The elements of the plan should include, but are not limited to:
Evacuation procedures and emergency escape route
assignments
Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to
operate critical plant operations before they evacuate
Procedures to account for all employees after an emergency
evacuation has been completed
Rescue and medical duties for those employees who are to
perform them
Means of reporting fires and other emergencies
Names or job titles of persons who can be contacted for
further information or explanation of duties under the plan
Evacuation
Elements
A disorganized evacuation can result in confusion,
injury, and property damage. When developing your emergency action plan, it is
important to determine the following:
Conditions under which an evacuation would
be necessary
A clear chain of command and designation
of the person in your business authorized to order an evacuation or
shutdown
Specific evacuation procedures, including routes
and exits
Specific evacuation procedures for high-rise
buildings
For employers
For employees
Procedures for assisting visitors and
employees to evacuate, particularly those with disabilities or who do
not speak English
Designation of what, if any, employees will
remain after the evacuation alarm to shut down critical operations or
perform other duties before evacuating
A means of accounting for employees after
an evacuation
Special equipment for
employees
What should employers do when
an emergency occurs?
Sound appropriate alarms and instruct employees to leave
the building
Notify, police, firefighters or other appropriate emergency
personnel
Take a head count of employees at designated meeting
locations, and notify emergency personnel of any missing workers
Employee
Responsibilities
What actions should employees
know before an emergency occurs?
Be familiar with the work site's emergency evacuation
plan
Know the pathway to at least two alternative exits from
every room/area at the workplace
Recognize the sound/signaling method of the fire/evacuation
alarms
Know who to contact in an emergency and how to contact
them
Know how many desks or cubicles are between your
workstation and two of the nearest exits so you can escape in the dark if
necessary
Know where the fire/evacuation alarms are located and how
to use them
Report damaged or malfunction safety systems and back-up
systems
For a comprehensive list of plan items and more information visit the U.S.
Department of Labor.
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