Interested
in having timely and informative safety-related information sent directly
to your
e-mail box? LSS publishes our no-charge Saf-T-News every other week.
To begin receiving your copy, click here.
Employee Emergency & Fire Prevention Plans
Document Number: 108
Emergency Evacuation Plans
Companies that fall under various OSHA standards such as 1910.120(L)(1)(ii),
Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response; 1910.119(n),
Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals; etc., are required
to have emergency evacuation plans that comply with 1910.38.
Written emergency and fire prevention plans need to be kept by the employer
in the workplace for companies with more than ten employees. Companies
with ten or fewer employees may communicate the plans verbally. Employees
should have access to these plans and should receive training related
to emergency procedures. New employees should be informed of these plans
during their orientation process; current employees need to receive updates
on plan revisions as they occur.
Plans may vary to comply with specific company operation, but should follow
the guidelines set by OSHA. Plans must include procedures for evacuating
physically impaired workers. All employees must be familiar with the evacuation
signal, whether it be communicated verbally, or by bells, whistles or
sirens. The alarm system must comply with scope, application, general
requirements, installation and restoration, maintenance, testing and manual
operation as stated in 1910.165.
Emergency Plans should include the following according to CFR
1910.38:
- Emergency escape procedures and escape route assignments
- Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate
critical plan operations before they evacuate
- Procedures to account for all employees after emergency
evacuations have been completed
- Rescue and medical duties for those employees who are to perform
them
- The preferred means of reporting fires and other emergencies
- Names or regular job titles of persons or department who can be
contacted for further information or explanation of duties under the
plan
Fire Prevention Plans
Employees should know the alarm procedure, where to find alarms and
how to sound or activate them. Emergency phone numbers should be
posted by phones. Employees should respond immediately when the alarm
is sounded, whether it is a drill or an actual fire. Personal work
areas should be secured, if time permits, by turning off machinery or
equipment, securing hazardous materials or locking up confidential
documents.
Evacuation routes must be indicated by signs or workplace maps
outlining alternate escape routes. These must be posted in visible
locations. A plan must include designation of an area to meet for a
head count immediately after evacuation.
Fire Prevention Plans should include the following according to CFR
1910.38:
- A list of the major workplace hazards, their proper handling and
storage procedures and potential ignition sources, including
equipment/systems installed specifically to handle a fire involving
them
- Names/job titles of personnel responsible for maintenance of
equipment and fire prevention and control devices installed within
specific equipment
- Names/job titles of personnel responsible for fuel source hazard
control
- Provisions for storage and cleanup of these products
- A schedule for the maintenance department to regularly and
properly maintain equipment
- A list of systems installed on heat-producing equipment to
prevent accidental ignition of combustible material
Establishing emergency plans and facilitating employee training help
prevent fire deaths and injuries in the workplace. Saving lives is the
goal for emergency and fire prevention plans . . . and the plans work
only if people know and follow the procedure.
Commonly Asked Questions
| Q. |
Why is it important to meet for a head count in the
event of an emergency or fire? |
| A. |
It is crucial to have a designated place to meet after the
evacuation process. The head count helps to determine if anyone
might possibly be trapped in the building. Failing to report to this
designated meeting place could endanger the life of someone who
re-enters the building in an attempt to find a missing person. |
| Q. |
Why is it important to keep exits clear? |
| A. |
It is important to keep paths, escape routes and aisles clear
to ensure everyone can quickly exit the building. Clutter and debris
might prohibit an exit door from opening to allow for escape. |
FREE Technical Support
When you have a question, you can rely on our team of technical
experts. They'll answer your questions about product specifications,
chemical compatibility, regulatory issues, and general worker safety
and health.
Call our Safety TECHline™ Technical Support toll-free:
800-356-2501 (6 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT, Monday - Friday). Or e-mail our
Technical Support Staff at techsvc@labsafety.com
anytime!
FREE Catalog
For products to meet all your workplace safety and industrial
needs, turn to Lab Safety Supply. In it you'll find thousands of
safety and industrial products, plus a complete service package and
our 100% guarantee to stand behind them.
Click here to select a catalog and
fill out a request form on-line, or call today to reserve your free copy:
800-356-0783 (6 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT, Monday - Friday).
Please Note: The information contained in this
publication is intended for general information purposes only. This
publication is not a substitute for review of the applicable
government regulations and standards, and should not be construed as
legal advice or opinion. Readers with specific questions should refer
to the cited regulation or consult with an attorney.
|
