Emergency Action Plans

What are the hazards associated with emergency action plans?

Failure to have an effective emergency action plan may delay the evacuation of employees to a safe area in the event of fire. When circumstances would otherwise require employees to shelter in place, the lack of an emergency action plan could subject employees to severe heath effects due to a biological or chemical release or serious injury caused by severe weather (e.g., tornado).

What can I do to protect myself?

Employees should familiarize themselves with the procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency. A distinction should be made regarding when to evacuate the area or building and the circumstances that require employees to shelter in place.

What resources are available to assist employers?

Safety and Health Programs

This example emergency action plan (Construction and General Industry) can be downloaded and customized to fit an individual workplace. Other example safety and health programs are available for employers to download and adapt to their specific conditions. 

Training and Outreach Services

The presentation on exit routes, emergency action and fire prevention plans can be used by employers to assist in their employees' training and should be modified to reflect specific conditions and hazards in their workplaces. Other example presentations are available along with pre-recorded webinars which can be accessed at any time. 

In addition, the education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request. 

Further, the NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos (including a streaming video service) and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC).

Safety and Health Topics

Related resources can be found on the safety and health topic pages for exits and exit routes, fire brigades, emergency response, portable fire extinguishers, fire protection and prevention, employee alarm system and fire prevention plans. 

Consultation Services

The consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards.

Which standards apply?

OSH has adopted the following standards which are applicable to emergency action plans in North Carolina.  This is not all inclusive.

Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic. 

General Industry

• 29 CFR 1910.38 - emergency action plans

Construction

• 29 CFR 1926.35 - employee emergency action plans

Maritime, Marine Terminals

• 29 CFR 1917.30 - emergency action plans

OSHA standards requiring emergency action plans are the following:

General Industry

• 29 CFR 1910.66 - powered platforms for building maintenance
• 29 CFR 1910.119 - process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals
• 29 CFR 1910.120 - hazardous waste operations and emergency response
• 29 CFR 1910.157 - portable fire extinguishers
• 29 CFR 1910.272 - grain handling facilities
• 29 CFR 1910.1047 - ethylene oxide
• 29 CFR 1910.1050 - 4,4'-methylenedianiline
• 29 CFR 1910.1051 - 1,3-butadiene

Construction

• 29 CFR 1926.60 - methylenedianline (29 CFR 1910.38)
• 29 CFR 1926.64 - process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals (29 CFR 1926.35)
• 29 CFR 1926.65 - hazardous waste operations and emergency response (29 CFR 1926.35)
• 29 CFR 1926.1144 - 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (29 CFR 1910.38)
• 29 CFR 1926.1147 - ethylene oxide (29 CFR 1910.38)

Recordkeeping

• Refer to Recording and Reporting

Other Applicable Standards

The Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can also help identify other standards that may be applicable to your worksite.

Where can I learn more?

Industry Guides

• Industry Guide 48 - OSHA Construction Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training provides requirements for standards related to emergency action plans, exit routes and fire prevention plans in construction.
• Industry Guide 49 - OSHA General Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, includes requirements for standards related to emergency action plans, exit routes and fire prevention plans in general industry.

Compliance Documents

• Operational Procedure Notice 130, Emergency Action Plans and Fire Prevention Plans, establishes the enforcement policy and provides an explanation of when they are required to ensure uniform enforcement.
• CFR 168 - Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, and Fire Prevention Plans Final Rule provides the promulgation of the rule.

Technical Assistance

• Inquiries about workplace safety and health requirements can be submitted to Ask OSH online or by phone at 919-707-7876.