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Emergency Action Plan Offers Peace of MindIf you fail to plan, you plan to fail. We often hear this in business circles, and it makes sense. The same can be said for disaster planning. If you fail to prepare for emergencies, then you're bound to have casualties. You may wonder if your company needs an emergency action plan (EAP). The fact is nearly every business is required to have one, says the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). If fire extinguishers are required or provided in your workplace, or if anyone will be evacuated during a fire or other emergency, then OSHA's 1910.157 standard requires you to have an EAP. The only exemption to this is if you have an in-house fire brigade. In most circumstances, immediate evacuation is the best policy, OSHA says. There may be situations where employee firefighting is warranted to give other workers time to escape. In this case, the employer is still required to have an EAP, OSHA points out. Think about possible emergency situations and check to see if your workplace is sufficiently prepared in the following areas:
A poorly prepared plan will likely lead to a disorganized evacuation or emergency response, resulting in confusion, injury and property damage. What should an EAP contain? Your plan should address the following:
Businesses might also consider a secure on- or offsite location to store accounting records, legal documents and contact lists. Effective EAPs call for retraining employees annually and regular evacuation drills. |