A well-documented Emergency Action Plan can be a valuable tool to reduce the impact of an emergency on your operation. A thorough analysis and description of your individual operation and sites, careful planning for each possible emergency scenario, and ongoing maintenance and training before an emergency are all critical steps to effectively handle an emergency situation.
The most obvious question, for starters, is whether or not you, as an employer, must have an emergency action plan. As a general rule, if you are required to comply with OSHAs standard for portable fire extinguishers (§1910.157) or you have a fixed fire suppression system, you must comply with this provision. The emergency action planning also applies to employers who are covered by other OSHA standards, such as the Process Safety Management for Highly-Hazardous Chemicals (§1910.119). If you have any questions, contact your nearest OSHA office.
When developing your emergency action plan, it’s a good idea to look at a wide variety of potential emergencies that could occurr in your workplace. It should be tailored to your worksite and include information about all potential sources of emergencies. Developing an emergency action plan means you should do a hazard assessment to determine what, if any, physical or chemical hazards in your workplace could cause an emergency. If you have more than one worksite, each site should have an emergency action plan.
At the minimum, your emergency action plan must include the following:
* A preffered method for reporting fires and other emergencies;
* An evacuation policy and procedure;
* Emergency escape procedures and route assignments, such as floor plans, workplace maps, and safe or refuge areas.
Here are some Great Books on the Subject