Emergency Preparedness – Why You Need A Written Plan

No matter the situation, every workplace should have a written emergency action plan (EAP) that outlines processes for monitoring and responding to changing conditions and communicating with employees. When developing or reviewing your plan, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is there a safety team assigned to owning/revising the plan?
• Have emergency escape routes been developed and communicated to all employees?
• Do employees who control critical operations before evacuating know their procedures?
• Is the emergency alarm warning system recognizable and understandable above ambient conditions?
• Are alarm systems tested regularly – at least annually?
• Do employees know their responsibilities for the following activities?
  • Responding to emergency alert systems and warnings
  • Reporting emergencies
  • Contacting emergency responders
  • Performing rescue and medical duties

For more information on preparing for emergencies, visit our Resource Library and view the resources below.

OSHA EAP eTool

Check out the OSHA: Evacuation Plans and Procedures eTool for everything you need to know about developing your emergency action plan and ensuring it follows appropriate OSHA standards.  Visit Website>

Creating Your EAP

We have developed various emergency preparedness resources to assist you in writing and implementing an effective EAP. Access Resources>

Earth Quake Preparedness

Unlike other natural disasters, earthquakes occur without warning. It’s vital to implement strategies to ensure the safety of employees and customers, and maintain business as usual after a disaster. The following resources provide valuable information to help you prepare for an earthquake:

Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills>
Ready Earthquake Page>
CDC – Preparing for an Earthquake>