29 CFR 1910.38 requires an emergency action plan whenever another OSHA standard calls for one, such as where employees evacuate during a fire. The plan must cover reporting, evacuation routes, accounting for employees, rescue and medical duties and who to contact. Employers with 10 or fewer employees may communicate it orally.
An emergency action plan is what turns a fire alarm or a chemical release into an orderly evacuation instead of a scramble. This page is one of the OSHA-required written programs; below is what yours must contain.
When an EAP is required
An emergency action plan is required when another OSHA standard calls for one. Several standards do, which is why most employers end up needing one. Where an EAP is required and you have more than 10 employees, it must be written and kept in the workplace. Where no specific standard triggers it, an EAP is still a sound idea.
Minimum elements (1910.38(c))
At a minimum, a plan covers: procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency; procedures for emergency evacuation, including the type of evacuation and exit route assignments; procedures for employees who stay to operate critical operations before they evacuate; procedures to account for all employees after evacuation; procedures for employees performing rescue or medical duties; and the name or job title of the person to contact for more information about the plan.
Alarm system and training
You need an employee alarm system that complies with 1910.165, and designated and trained employees to assist in a safe and orderly evacuation. Review the plan with each employee when the plan is developed, when their responsibilities change, and when the plan changes.
Active shooter and severe weather add-ons
OSHA’s required elements are the baseline. Many Arizona employers extend the plan to cover severe weather and active shooter events, which are not spelled out in 1910.38 but belong in a real-world emergency plan. ETC can build these in. See active shooter and Stop the Bleed training.
Template download
Want a starting point? Download the emergency action plan template and adapt it to your facility. The form routes to our team and we reply within one business day.
FAQs
Does every business need an EAP?
A written EAP is required where another OSHA standard triggers it. Even where it is not strictly required, every business benefits from one, and emergencies do not check your headcount first.
How often should we drill?
OSHA does not set a universal drill frequency for 1910.38 itself, though some standards and local codes do. Practicing at least annually, and after any change, keeps people ready. Drills also reveal gaps a document cannot.
Should an EAP cover active shooter events?
It is not a listed 1910.38 element, but it is strongly recommended. Building active shooter and severe weather response into your plan makes it match the emergencies your crew could actually face.
ETC writes this program for Arizona employers and teaches the matching course. We also provide first aid, CPR and AED training for your team as on-site training arranged for your group, and safety training for schools and universities. To see the full set, visit all OSHA-required written programs or ask us to write your safety programs.
Need it done right? We will write your program and train your team.
Link: https://e-t-c.com/consulting/written-safety-programs/
Call: (602) 923-9673
Need it done right? We will write your program and train your team.
Call (602) 923-9673