Do You Need an EAP?
Your company may be required by OSHA to establish an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) if you meet certain criteria. Check out the diagram to the right to see if your company needs an EAP. You can also find more information on establishing an EAP from OSHA Pub 2088, How to Plan for Workplace Emergencies and Evacuations.
Elements of the EAP
At a minimum, the plan must include but is not limited to the following elements:
- Means of reporting fires and other emergencies,
- Evacuation procedures and emergency escape route assignments,
- Procedures for employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate,
- Accounting for all employees after an emergency evacuation has been completed,
- Rescue and medical duties for employees performing them, and
- Names or job titles of persons who can be contacted.
Although they are not specifically required by OSHA, employers may find it helpful to include the following in the EAP:
- A description of the alarm system to be used to notify employees (including disabled employees) to evacuate and/or take other actions. The alarms used for different actions should be distinctive and might include horn blasts, sirens, or even public address systems.
- The site of an alternative communications center to be used in the event of a fire or explosion.
- A secure on- or offsite location to store originals or duplicate copies of accounting records, legal documents, your employees' emergency contact lists, and other essential records.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-2. Which of the following is a mandatory element in the Emergency Action Plan (EAP)?
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