Emergency Action Plan

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Emergency Action Plan

An emergency action plan is a document outlining a company’s emergency procedures, contact lists, and safety equipment locations. It relays what employees should do in emergency situations such as natural disasters, health emergencies, and workplace threats. OSHA requires certain job sites to maintain this document in an accessible location and to explain its contents to employees.

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Last updated September 6th, 2025

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An emergency action plan is a document outlining a company’s emergency procedures, contact lists, and safety equipment locations. It relays what employees should do in emergency situations such as natural disasters, health emergencies, and workplace threats. OSHA requires certain job sites to maintain this document in an accessible location and to explain its contents to employees.

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OSHA Emergency Action Plan 

OSHA requires workplaces with any of the following to have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP):

  • Fire extinguishers[1]​
  • Powered platforms[2]​
  • Grain facilities (if employees are required to evacuate in emergencies)[3]​
  • Specific chemicals listed by OSHA, or other covered chemicals exceeding limits[4]​
  • Hazardous waste (if employees must evacuate in the event of leaks, spills, etc.)[5]​

An EAP must be on-site, accessible, and explained to employees.[6]​ Employers with fewer than 10 employees can communicate the plan orally instead of maintaining a written document.

Emergency Action Plan in the Workplace

Employers are responsible for creating an EAP and reviewing it with workers. The EAP must list procedures for the following and the staff who can be contacted for further details.[7]​
  • Reporting a fire and other emergencies
  • Evacuating and exit routes
  • Employees responsible for handling critical operations before evacuating
  • Employees responsible for rescue or medical duties

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SEVERE WEATHER AND NATURAL DISASTERS
Hurricane
Once a hurricane watch has been issued:

  • Stay calm and await instructions from the Emergency Coordinator or the Designated Official.
  • Moor any boats securely, or move to a safe place if time allows.
  • Continue to monitor local TV and radio stations for instructions.
  • Move early out of low-lying areas or from the coast, at the request of officials.
  • If you are on high ground, away from the coast and plan to stay, secure the building, moving all loose items indoors and boarding up windows and openings.
  • Collect drinking water in appropriate containers.

Once a hurricane warning has been issued:

  • Be ready to evacuate as directed by the Emergency Coordinator and/or the Designated Official.
  • Leave areas that may be affected by storm tide or stream flooding.

During a hurricane:

  • Remain indoors in the following shelters:
    • Small interior rooms on the lowest floor and without windows
    • Hallways on the lowest floor away from doors and windows
    • Rooms constructed with reinforced concrete, brick, or block with no windows

Tornado

  • When a warning is issued by sirens or other means, seek the following shelters:
    • Small rooms on the lowest floor and without windows
    • Hallways on the lowest floor away from doors and windows
    • Rooms constructed with reinforced concrete, brick, or block with no windows
  • Stay away from outside walls and windows.
  • Use arms to protect head and neck.
  • Remain sheltered until the tornado threat is announced to be over.

Earthquake

  • Stay calm and await instructions from the Emergency Coordinator or the Designated Official.
  • Keep away from overhead fixtures, windows, filing cabinets, and electrical power.
  • Assist people with disabilities in finding a safe place.
  • Evacuate as instructed by the Emergency Coordinator and/or the Designated Official.

Sources

  1. 29 CFR §1910.157
  2. 29 CFR §1910.66(e)(9)
  3. 29 CFR §1910.272(d)
  4. 29 CFR §§1910.1047(h)(1)(iii), 1910.1050(d)(1)(iii), 1910.1051(j), 1910.119(n)
  5. 29 CR §1910.120(l)(1)(ii)
  6. 29 CFR § 1910.38(b) & (f)
  7. 29 CFR § 1910.38(c), EAP Minimum Requirements