The Definition of Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

Definition of Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

An emergency action plan (EAP) is a plan that describes what employers and employees must do during a fire or other workplace emergency. It covers how emergencies are reported, how people evacuate or shelter, who handles critical tasks, and how everyone is accounted for afterward.

A good EAP reduces confusion when every minute counts. Without one, workers may not know the alarm signal, the safest evacuation route or where to gather, and responders may waste time searching for people who are already safe. EAPs apply to offices, warehouses, plants, construction sites and any workplace where fires, chemical releases, severe weather, workplace violence or medical emergencies could occur.

OSHA Requirements for an Emergency Action Plan

When an EAP Is Required

Under 29 CFR 1910.38(a), an employer must have an EAP whenever another OSHA standard in Part 1910 requires one. Examples include the portable fire extinguisher standard (1910.157), when employees evacuate instead of fighting fires, and the process safety management standard (1910.119), which requires an EAP for the entire plant. Construction employers have parallel requirements at 29 CFR 1926.35. Even where not strictly required, OSHA recommends that all employers have one.

Written and Oral Plans

The plan must be in writing, kept in the workplace and available for employees to review. An employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally instead.

Minimum Elements Under 1910.38(c)

• Reporting: Procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency.
• Evacuation: Procedures for emergency evacuation, including the type of evacuation and exit route assignments.
• Critical operations: Procedures for employees who stay behind to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate.
• Accounting: Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation.
• Rescue and medical duties: Procedures for employees who perform rescue or medical duties.
• Contacts: The names or job titles of people employees can contact for more information about the plan or their duties.

Alarms, Training and Review

• Alarm system: The employer must have and maintain an employee alarm system that uses a distinctive signal for each purpose and meets 29 CFR 1910.165.
• Evacuation helpers: The employer must designate and train enough people to assist in a safe and orderly evacuation.
• Plan review with employees: The employer must review the plan with each covered employee when the plan is developed or the employee is first assigned, when the employee's duties under the plan change, and when the plan changes.

How to Build an Effective Emergency Action Plan

Plan for Realistic Scenarios

Start with a risk assessment of the emergencies your site could face, such as fire, gas leaks, chemical spills, severe weather, earthquakes, active threats or medical events. Some call for evacuation, while others, such as tornadoes or external chemical releases, call for shelter-in-place. The EAP should explain which action applies to which situation and how people will be told.

Good Practices

• Define assembly areas: Choose primary and backup muster points a safe distance from buildings and away from emergency vehicle access.
• Account for everyone: Use rosters, sign-in records or digital headcounts that include visitors, contractors and remote or lone workers who may not be on site with the group.
• Coordinate with responders: Share site maps, hazardous material locations and contact details with the local fire department.
• Plan for people who need help: Arrange assistance for employees with disabilities or injuries who may not be able to use stairs.
• Practice regularly: 1910.38 does not itself require drills, but regular drills reveal blocked exits, unclear roles and alarms that cannot be heard.
• Link related plans: Align the EAP with your fire prevention plan, spill plans and business continuity plans.
• Use a command structure: Larger sites can organize response roles using the incident command system (ICS).

Example of Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

A food processing plant with 150 employees on two shifts uses ammonia refrigeration. Its EAP describes separate alarms for fire and ammonia release, assigns evacuation wardens for each area, names two operators who isolate the refrigeration system before leaving, and sets upwind and downwind assembly areas so workers can move away from a release depending on wind direction.

During a quarterly drill, wardens discover that forklift operators in the freezer cannot hear the ammonia alarm. The plant adds strobe lights in the freezer, updates the plan and reviews the change with affected employees. Supervisors also start using a shift roster at the assembly areas so the incident commander knows within minutes whether anyone is missing.

Frequently Asked Questions: Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

Does every employer need a written EAP?

An EAP is required when an OSHA standard calls for one, and employers with 10 or fewer employees may communicate it orally. OSHA recommends that all employers have an EAP regardless.

What is the difference between an EAP and a fire prevention plan?

An EAP covers how people respond once an emergency happens. A fire prevention plan, covered by 29 CFR 1910.39, focuses on preventing fires through hazard control, housekeeping and equipment maintenance.

How often should an EAP be reviewed?

OSHA requires review with employees when the plan is created, when an employee is first assigned, when their duties change and when the plan changes. Many employers also review it at least once a year and after every drill or real event.

Should an EAP cover remote and lone workers?

Yes. The plan should explain how off-site and lone workers report emergencies, receive alerts and are accounted for, since they will not be at the main assembly area.