Safety and Health

Workplace emergencies, whether due to workplace hazards or natural disasters, create a variety of dangers for workers in the impacted area. In such situations, worker safety is paramount. Preparing before an incident is vital to ensuring that you and your workers have the necessary equipment, know where to go, and how to stay safe when an emergency occurs. To help, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides resources on a wide variety of emergency preparedness considerations. 

The best way to protect your workers is to “expect the unexpected” and carefully develop an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) to serve as a guide when immediate action is necessary. Drafting an EAP alone is not enough; an EAP will be useful only if its content is up to date and employees are sufficiently educated and trained before an actual evacuation. Almost every business is required to have an EAP, which helps organize employer and employee actions during workplace emergencies. In general, you’re required to have an EAP if your workplace provides or requires fire extinguishers and if anyone will evacuate during an emergency. Specifically, OSHA requires EAPs for the following standards: 29 CFR §§ 1910.66, 1910.119, 1910.160, 1910.164, 1910.272, 1910.1047, 1910.1050, and 1910.1051. 

Additional information, including some key OSHA requirements for emergencies in general industry, construction, and maritime workplaces, can be found at OSHA’s General Business Preparedness for General, Construction, and Maritime Industries webpage.