Emergency Action Plan—Fire Evacuation

An emergency escape route chart is posted on the facility bulletin board, indicating by department, a primary and secondary exit or escape route in the event of fire or other emergencies. 

In the event of an emergency within the facility, such as fire, the supervisor in that department wUl immediately make repeated announcements over the paging system that an emergency exists and the areas to be evacuated, if known, otherwise he or she would evacuate the entire plant. 

In event of an emergency notification from outside the plant, such as a bomb threat, the person receiving the call will immediately make repeated announcements over the paging system to evacuate the entire facility. 

When an evacuation signal is given, each supervisor involved will assume station in the vicinity of the designated exit. The supervisor will ensure that all personnel are evacuated and will assist employees requiring the same. 

Once evacuation of all employees has been completed, employees are to proceed to the previously designated accounting area for an additional head count by the supervisor or fire or emergency warden. The supervisor will report the department s status to the manager or individual in charge. 

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Option 1 - Total evacuation of employees from the workplace immediately when alarm sounds. No one is authorized to use available portable fire extinguishers. The employer must establish an emergency action plan, fire prevention plan, and train employees to evacuate immediately. 

At the very least, a facility is required to develop a plan describing how it will respond to an incident that threatens human health and/or the environment. Generally, the plan includes notification, evacuation, protection of employees, and control of the incident. This emergency response plan usually must be in writing. For example, the OSHA requires a minimum of three plans emergency response, emergency action, and fire prevention. The CAA requires that the state implementation plan have an emergency air pollution episode plan. 

If you are not properly trained, do not respond to a leak or spill. Instead, follow your company s emergency action plan for reporting leaks and spills and evacuating. The name and telephone number of the company s emergency coordinator and fire department should be listed next to your telephone. 

Do you have an emergency action plan ( 1926.35) for fires, and does it outline the assignments of all key personnel Does it provide an evacuation plan for yom employees ... 

Fire — Does your company have an emergency action plan for fires, and do you know your assignment Do you know the evacuation plan and route ... 

There are no OSHA requirements to post evacuation signs. However, OSHA CPL 2-1.037 does say that The use of floor plans or workplace maps which clearly show the emergency escape routes should be included in the emergency action plan. This statement is also in the non-mandatory appendix to Subpart E, Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, and Fire Prevention Plans. ... 

Option 2 - Designated employees are authorized to use portable fire extinguishers to fight fires. All other employees must evacuate workplace immediately when alarm sounds, he employer must then establish an emergency action plan and annually train designated employees to use fire extinguishers. 

Option 4 Portable fire equipment will be used only by designated employees in their assigned areas. Employer must provide training to designated employees as in option 3 and also an emergency action plan, evacuation training, action plan, and shutdown training. 

What records Emergency action plan must contain, at minimum o fire and emergency reporting protocol o evacuation procedures o protocol for employees who must remain to operate critical plant equipment o method to account for employees after evacuation o rescue and first aid responsibilities for those assigned these duties o names or job titles of individuals to contact for more information about the plan Written plan is required for employers with 11 or more employees Verbal plan is allowed for employers with 10 or fewer employees... 

Facilities which treat, store or dispose of hazardous wastes must, under 40 CFR 264 and 265, develop emergency plans to minimize hazards to human health and the environment in the event of fire, explosion, or chemical release into the environment. A detailed plan of action is required, which considers such events and details arrangements with local police, fire, hospital, emergency response teams. The plan should list the name of the emergency coordinator(s), emergency equipment, and detail the evacuation plan. 

The development of the sub-plan follows a logical sequence. A list of potential hazards (e.g. fires, explosions, floods) is compiled. The possible major consequences of each is identified (e.g. casualties, damage). Required countermeasures are determined (e.g. evacuation, rescue, firefighting). Resources needed to carry out the plaimed actions are listed (e.g. medical supplies, rescue equipment, personnel). Based on these considerations, the emergency procedures can be established. Communication, training, and periodic drills are required to ensure adequate performance when the plan must be implemented. 

Each workplace should have an emergency plan. The plan should include the action to be taken by staff in the event of fire, the evacuation procedure and the arrangements for calling the fire brigade. 

The emergency plan for the evacuation of a building will be based on the findings of the fire risk assessment (see Chapter 14). In many small buildings the emergency plan may merely be a set of simple instructions to staff as to the actions they are required to take in the event of a fire. 

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