How would your employees escape from the workplace in an emergency? Do they know where all the exits are in case their first choice is too crowded? Are you sure the doors will be unlocked and the exit route, such as a hallway, will not be blocked during a fire, explosion, or other crisis? Knowing […]
You’ve probably heard the famous quote from General Eisenhower about plans being useless but planning essential. It’s as valid today as it was when IKE first used it but maybe we should ask, “If plans are so useless, why do we bother writing them?” Part of the problem is how we use plans. To many […]
A good business reviews their emergency action plan annually, not just with their employees as OSHA requires, but as a whole to ensure everything is still applicable that it works with your workforce, that it is still the most efficient. This Emergency Action Plan is from Ohio’s BWC Office of Industrial Hygiene, it is a […]
An emergency is a chaotic time, as part of a quality emergency response plan, there are specific considerations a workplace may require beyond a basic plan. Below I review some of the special considerations you may need to include in your plan. Persons with Disabilities During an evacuation, a workplace may have employees requiring […]
The actions taken in the initial minutes of an emergency are critical. The Emergency Action Plan (EAP) or Emergency Response Plan (ERP) is an “action plan” to organize employer and employee actions during workplace emergencies. Well developed emergency plans and proper employee training will result in fewer injuries and less structural damage to the facility […]
It is essential that the emergency action plan developed be site specific with respect to emergency conditions evaluated, evacuation policies and procedures, emergency reporting mechanisms, and alarm systems. To assist you in your planning, a checklist is provided that identifies issues that must be considered when drafting a comprehensive emergency action plan. An explanation of […]
Sometimes an emergency is best handled by doing a shelter in place, a good emergency action plan should take this into account and have the appropriate responses included in it. Specific procedures for shelter in place at a worksite may include the following: Close the business. If there are customers, clients, or visitors in the […]
Emergency/Crisis Management Planning needs vary with the industry, type of operations, and regulatory applicability; however, the following guidelines can be used for any situation: WHAT ARE YOUR WORKPLACE HAZARDS? The first step is to Identify vulnerabilities and hazards associated with your operation. No one understands your operation better than you. Ensure that emergency, business continuity, […]
Developing an effective Spill Response Plan involves a lot of planning and thinking ahead to manage the worst type of spill that could happen. Take it step by step and decide how to handle each problem. Then obtain the necessary supplies and train all employees in their use. Last, anticipate and plan for a disastrous […]
This Basic Emergency Response Plan template is useful for small businesses that want an emergency response plan, when it is only required to have a verbal plan. Having a written plan over a verbal plan provides additional safeguards, so all employees know the same responses to emergencies, and it can be referenced during an actual […]