Developing an Preparedness Plan
of Emergency Management Fire is only one type of emergency that happens at work. Large and small workplaces alike experience fires, explosions, medical emergencies, chemical spills, toxic releases, and a variety of other incidents. To protect employees from fire and other emergencies and to prevent property loss, whether large or small, companies use preparedness plans (also called prefire plans or pre-incident plans).
A Representation of the Four Phases
The two essential components of a fire preparedness plan are the following:
- An emergency action plan, which details what to do when a fire occurs.
- Have already caused loss of life, health detriments, property damage or environmental damage.
- A fire prevention plan, which describes what to do to prevent a fire from occurring.
Of course, these two components of an overall preparedness plan are inseparable and overlap each other. Emergency planning and training directly influence the outcome of an emergency situation. Facilities with well- prepared employees and well-developed preparedness plans are likely to incur less structural damage and fewer or less severe employee injuries.
OSHA Regulation
OSHA regulations provide guidance to employers as they create preparedness plans and work toward making workplaces safe.
Emergency Action Plan
OSHA's regulations for an emergency action plan are covered in OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.38, Employee Emergency Plans and Fire Prevention Plans. OSHA states that the emergency action plan covers the "designated actions that employers and employees must take to ensure safety from fire and other emergencies." OSHA requires that employers record emergency action plans in writing unless there are 10 or fewer employees. If there are 10 or fewer employees, the employer may verbally communicate the plan.
Quick Tip
To protect employees from fire and other emergencies and to prevent property loss, whether large or small, companies use preparedness plans (also called pre-fire plans or pre-incident plans).
The employer is required to review the emergency action plan with each employee at the following times:
- When the plan is developed
- When the employee’s responsibilities or designated actions under the plan change (Employees who are assigned additional or increased responsibilities must review the plan at each change to see how the change affects their actions. For example, an employee who is promoted to shift supervisor needs to study the plan to determine additional responsibilities for the supervisor.)
- Whenever the plan changes (The plan changes to reflect new processes or equipment. For example, if plastic pallets replace wooden pallets in a storage facility, the emergency action plan would be changed to reflect the new storage arrangement and to provide a new exit diagram that reflects the revised storage arrangement.)
- Procedures for emergency evacuation, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments.
- Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before. they evacuate.
- Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation.
- Procedures to be followed by employees performing rescue or medical duties; and The name or job title of every employee who may be contacted by employees who need more information about the plan or an explanation of their duties under the plan.
An OSHA-based emergency action plan includes the following regulations: Emergency Escape Procedures and Escape Route Assignments. To ensure that all employees understand the general procedures to be followed, the plan must document procedures, such as equipment to shut down or suppression efforts, and the escape route to be followed by each specific facility location (see Figure 3.1). Procedures for Employees Who Remain on Site after the Alarm Sounds. Sometimes, depending on the type of operation involved, certain employees will remain behind to shut down special equipment before they evacuate the building. An employer might assign employees to shut down various process equipment to limit further damage to the equipment, or to reduce potential hazards from flowing liquids or gases under pressure.
