
Plan. Prepare. Prevent.
Keep your employees safe in the event of a fire or any other emergency by being proactive!
OSHA Requires Every Workplace to Have an Emergency Action Plan
Turn on the news and you’ll likely see a report of a local fire that occurred, a storm that damaged property, and listen to other disheartening incidents. This is why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires workplaces to establish a comprehensive Emergency Action Plan. An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) involves taking the proper steps to analyze and evaluate your workplace, even on a jobsite where the layout changes job to job.
An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) will:
- provide organized evacuation in the event of an emergency,
- reduce panic by providing clear instructions of where to go,
- establish trained leaders that are held accountable for everyone’s whereabouts,
- reduce injuries, property damage, and save lives.
How to draft an Emergency Action Plan:
- Walk around your workplace and evaluate how employees will need to respond in different types of emergencies. Take into account the workplace specific structure, layout, and exit routes. Note what challenges your team might encounter.
- Follow OSHA’s minimum requirements for information that must be included.
- An EAP will be useful only if its content is up to date and employees are sufficiently educated and trained before an actual evacuation.
You Need More Than Just an Emergency Action Plan
After you have reviewed your Emergency Action Plan with your team, training needs to be conducted, and practice drills need to be held. Yes, just like you did back in grade school! We’re never too old for fire drills, and it is recommended to hold practice drills as often as necessary. After each drill, gather management and employees to evaluate the effectiveness of the drill. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of your plan and work to improve it.
Fire & Emergency Evacuation Plan Training
Lancaster Safety’s training will review housekeeping practices and variables to consider in your emergency action plan. It will also cover types of fires, potential fire hazards, proper fire extinguishing practices, and maintenance and inspection practices for extinguishers. Although there may be no guaranteed safety during a natural disaster, if you’re aware of weather conditions, prepared to act, and have a shelter location, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of being injured, or worse.
It is imperative that all employees understand the potential emergencies, reporting procedures, alarm systems, evacuation plans, and shutdown procedures. Clearly communicate to your employees who will be in charge during an emergency to minimize confusion.
Fire & Emergency Action Plan Training Highlights
- Fire Hazard & Prevention, Emergency Action Plan
- Assembly Points, Emergency Exits, and Workplace Assessments
- Earthquake Safety
- Tornado Safety
- Hurricane Safety
- Lightening Safety
- Fire Classes & Extinguishers
- P.A.S.S.
- Fire Extinguishers and Inspections
- Key Points
Are you familiar with this 4-letter, life-saving acronym?
Frequency of Fire & Emergency Action Plan Retraining
- Initially – upon hire or job assignment
- When responsibilities change or the plan is updated
- Recommended annual retraining and practice drills
Train on These Congruent Topics
Fire & EAP instruction coincides with our Hazard Communication training. Employees need to be aware of flammable materials and toxic chemicals. You also may want to train your employees in first-aid procedures, including protection against Bloodborne Pathogens and Respiratory Protection.
TRAINING IS OFFERED AT YOUR LOCATION: | TRAINING IS OFFERED IN A LIVE VIRTUAL CLASSROOM: | TRAINING IS OFFERED IN OUR ONLINE OSHA TRAINING CENTER: | HOW FREQUENTLY SHOULD THIS TOPIC BE TRAINED ON: | IS A WRITTEN SAFETY PROGRAM NEEDED FOR THIS TOPIC? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Initially upon hire,
After any updates to the EAP or change in responsibilities, Retraining is recommended at least annually |
Yes |
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