Employee Alarm System

What is the purpose of an employee alarm system?

The employee alarm system should be distinctive and recognizable as a signal to evacuate the work area or to perform actions designated under the emergency action plan. It should also be capable of being perceived above ambient noise or light levels by all employees in the affected portions of the workplace. Tactile devices may be used to alert those employees who would not otherwise be able to recognize the audible or visual alarm.

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

Example safety and health programs are available for employers to download and adapt to their specific conditions.

Training and Outreach Services

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.

In addition, 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, emergency action plans 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 employee alarm systems 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 1910.36 - design and construction requirements for exit routes
• 29 CFR 1910.37 - maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes
• 29 CFR 1910.38 - emergency action plans
• 29 CFR 1910.160 - fixed extinguishing systems
• 29 CFR 1910.164 - fire detection systems
• 29 CFR 1910.165 - employee alarm systems

Construction

• 29 CFR 1926.35 - employee emergency action plans
• 29 CFR 1926.150 - fire protection

Maritime, Shipyard Employment

• 29 CFR 1915.502 - fire safety plan
• 29 CFR 1915.508 - fire protection in shipyard employment, training

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 employee alarm systems in construction.
• Industry Guide 49 - OSHA General Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, includes requirements for standards related to employee alarm systems in general industry.
• Industry Guide 53 - OSHA Shipyard Employment Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, highlights the requirements of standards related to employee alarm systems in shipyard employment.

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.