March Safety Toolbox

An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is a written document required by
OSHA. The purpose of an Emergency Action Plan is to facilitate and
organize employer and employee actions during workplace
emergencies. Well-developed emergency plans and proper employee training will result in
fewer and less severe employee injuries and less structural damage to the facility during
emergencies. A workplace emergency could be one of the following:
www.osha.com
• Hurricane
• Tornado
• Fire
• Chemical Spill
• Civil Disturbance

(www.OSHA.gov).

Meeting Start Question

• What is an Emergency Action Plan?
• What should an Emergency Action Plan include?
• What is a Workplace emergency?

Critical Safety Point

What should your emergency action plan include?
When developing your emergency action plan, look at a variety of potential emergencies that
could occur in your workplace. It should be tailored to your worksite and include information
about all potential sources of emergencies.

Emergency Action Plan must include the following:
• A 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 areas.
• Procedures for employees who remain to perform or shut down critical plant operations,
operate fire extinguishers, or perform other essential services that cannot be shut down
for every emergency alarm before evacuating
• Rescue and medical duties for any workers designated to perform them

How do you alert employees to an emergency?
Your plan must include a way to alert employees, including disabled workers, to evacuate or take
other action, and how to report emergencies, as required. Among the steps you must take are
the following:
• Make sure alarms are distinctive and recognized by all employees as a signal to evacuate
the work area or perform actions identified in your plan
• Make available an emergency communication system such as a public address system,
portable radio unit, or other means to notify employees of the emergency and to contact
local law enforcement, fire department, and others
• Using tactile devices to alert employees who would not otherwise be able to recognize an
audible or visual alarm

How do establish evacuation routes and exits?
When preparing your emergency action plan, designate primary and secondary evacuation
routes and exits. To the extent possible under the conditions, ensure that evacuation routes and
emergency exits meet the following conditions:
• Clearly marked and well lit
• Wide enough to accommodate the number of evacuating personnel
• Unobstructed and clear of debris always

When injuries happen, employees should alert their manager.  The manager or manager on duty reports injuries to Sedgwick at 1-877-576-1911.