Emergency Action and Fire Prevention Plan Administrator

When a plan is required, and what it must include

An employer must have an emergency action plan whenever an OSHA standard in Part 1910 requires one, and the requirements of 1910.38 apply to each such plan.

The plan must include at a minimum:

1. Reporting: procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency
2. Evacuation: procedures for emergency evacuation, including the type of evacuation and exit route assignments
3. Critical operations: procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.38(a) · 29 CFR 1910.38(c) · 29 CFR 1910.38(c)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.38(c)(2) · 29 CFR 1910.38(c)(3)

Accounting, rescue and who to ask

The minimum elements continue:

4. Accounting for employees: procedures to account for all employees after evacuation
5. Rescue and medical duties: procedures to be followed by employees performing rescue or medical duties
6. Contacts: 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 it

A plan missing any one of these six does not meet the minimum.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.38(c)(4) · 29 CFR 1910.38(c)(5) · 29 CFR 1910.38(c)(6)

Where the plan lives

The emergency action plan must be:

• In writing
• Kept in the workplace
• Available to employees for review

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.38(b)

Review it with each employee

The employer must review the plan with each employee covered by it:

1. When the plan is developed or the employee is assigned initially to a job
2. When the employee's responsibilities under the plan change
3. When the plan is changed

As the administrator, track new hires, role changes and plan revisions so each of these reviews happens.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.38(f) · 29 CFR 1910.38(f)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.38(f)(2) · 29 CFR 1910.38(f)(3)

The employee alarm system

The plan works only if people hear the alarm and know what it means. The employer must have and maintain an employee alarm system. It must use a distinctive signal for each purpose and comply with the requirements in 1910.165.

As administrator, make sure the same signal is not used for two different purposes.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.38(d)

Designate and train evacuation assistants

The employer must designate and train employees to assist in a safe and orderly evacuation of other employees.

• Name the people who will assist
• Train them, and keep that training part of how you run the plan

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.38(e)

When it is required and where it is kept

An employer must have a fire prevention plan when an OSHA standard in Part 1910 requires one. Like the emergency action plan, it must be in writing, kept in the workplace and made available to employees for review. An employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate it orally.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.39(a) · 29 CFR 1910.39(b)

What the fire prevention plan must include

1. Hazards and equipment: a list of all major fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources and their control, and the type of fire protection equipment necessary to control each major hazard
2. Waste: procedures to control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials
3. Maintenance: procedures for regular maintenance of safeguards installed on heat-producing equipment to prevent accidental ignition of combustible materials
4. Ignition sources: the name or job title of employees responsible for maintaining equipment to prevent or control sources of ignition or fires
5. Fuel sources: the name or job title of employees responsible for the control of fuel source hazards

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.39(c) · 29 CFR 1910.39(c)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.39(c)(2) · 29 CFR 1910.39(c)(3) · 29 CFR 1910.39(c)(4) · 29 CFR 1910.39(c)(5)

Tell employees about the fire hazards

The employer must inform employees upon initial assignment to a job of the fire hazards to which they are exposed. The employer must also review with each employee those parts of the fire prevention plan necessary for self-protection.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.39(d)