Emergency action plan template
Updated · Reviewed by Israel Margulies, founder and CEO of High Point GPS
An emergency action plan template with the minimum elements in OSHA's rule (29 CFR 1910.38): how to report a fire or other emergency, how and where to evacuate, who shuts down critical operations, how to account for everyone, who does rescue or medical duties, and who to contact about the plan.
An emergency action plan is required when an OSHA standard calls for one, such as where fire extinguishers are provided but employees aren't expected to use them. It must be written, kept at the workplace and available to employees; an employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate it orally.
The plan only works if people know it. Review it with each employee when it's first made, when their duties under it change, and when the plan changes. Run a drill so the assembly point and headcount aren't learned during a real fire. This page summarizes the federal rule and isn't legal advice.
Emergency action plan
Fields: Site / building · Address · Plan owner (name or title) · Date · Revision · Alarm system · Assembly point
Log columns: Role · Name or job title · Phone · Duty
Minimum elements (29 CFR 1910.38(c))
- How to report a fire or other emergency
- Evacuation procedures, type of evacuation and exit route assignments
- Procedures for employees who stay to run critical operations before they evacuate
- How all employees are accounted for after evacuation
- Procedures for employees doing rescue or medical duties
- Name or title of each person to contact about the plan
Training and drills
- Plan reviewed with each employee
- Evacuation maps posted
- Drill held and date recorded
- Plan reviewed after changes
Fill it in the right way
- Fill in the site, the alarm and the assembly point.
- Write each of the six minimum elements in plain steps.
- List who does what in an emergency, with phone numbers.
- Post evacuation maps and review the plan with every employee.
- Hold a drill, then fix whatever didn't work.
Tips
- Pick an assembly point far enough from the building and away from traffic.
- Name a backup for every role; emergencies don't wait for the right person.
- Include visitors and contractors in the headcount.
- Add site-specific emergencies such as chemical spills, severe weather or a vehicle fire.
Do it in FleetZap
- FleetZap keeps contact and location details for each site with its machines and work.
- Inspection and certification due dates can be tracked as compliance items with reminders.
- FleetZap records checks and repairs; it doesn't certify compliance.
Sources
FleetZap Maintenance
Work orders, PM, parts, compliance, assets and KPIs. Explore FleetZap Maintenance.
Frequently asked questions
What must an emergency action plan include?
Under 29 CFR 1910.38(c): procedures for reporting emergencies, evacuation and exit routes, critical operations, accounting for employees, rescue and medical duties, and the contacts for the plan.
Does an emergency action plan have to be written?
Yes, kept in the workplace and available to employees, except that an employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate it orally.
When must employees be trained on it?
When the plan is made, when an employee's responsibilities under it change, and when the plan itself changes.
Is a fire prevention plan the same thing?
No. The emergency action plan covers what to do in an emergency; the fire prevention plan (1910.39) covers preventing fires. Many sites need both.