Emergency Action Plans
When something goes wrong, there’s no time to figure out a plan. An emergency action plan (EAP) tells everyone how to sound the alarm, get out, get counted, and get help.
- Construction
- General Industry
What the plan covers
- How to report fires and other emergencies
- The alarm signal (horn, siren, radio code)
- Evacuation routes and exits
- Muster (assembly) points and how everyone will be accounted for
- Who shuts down critical equipment before evacuating
- Who performs rescue and medical duties
- Who to contact for more information
Employers with more than 10 employees must have the plan in writing; smaller employers may communicate it orally. Plans must be reviewed with workers when they start, when their duties change, and when the plan changes.
Know before you need it
- The site address and nearest cross streets for 911
- Where the first aid kits, AED, fire extinguishers and eyewash stations are
- Your muster point, and an alternate if it’s blocked
- Who is trained in first aid on your crew
- Where to shelter for tornadoes or severe weather. See Severe Weather.
When the alarm sounds
- Stop work and make equipment safe if you can do so quickly.
- Leave by the nearest safe route; help others who need it.
- Go to the muster point and check in. Never leave without reporting.
- Don’t go back until told it’s safe.
Emergencies to plan for
| Emergency | Typical response | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Fire | Sound the alarm, evacuate, and fight it only if it’s small, you’re trained, and you have a clear exit | Fire Prevention |
| Serious injury | Call 911, give first aid, send someone to meet the ambulance | First Aid Basics, Bleeding Control |
| Cardiac arrest | Call 911, start CPR, get the AED | CPR & AED |
| Fall with worker suspended in harness | Start the site rescue plan immediately | Fall Rescue |
| Trench collapse or confined space incident | Call 911; don’t enter to rescue unless you’re trained and equipped | Confined Spaces |
| Chemical spill or gas leak | Evacuate upwind, eliminate ignition sources, call for help | Spill Response |
| Tornado or severe storm | Shelter in a sturdy building, not a trailer or vehicle | Severe Weather |
| Workplace violence or active threat | Run, hide, fight; call 911 when safe | Workplace Violence |
Jobsite-specific challenges
- The site changes every week. Exits, stairs and routes move as work progresses. The plan, and the maps posted on site, need to keep up.
- Hard to find. New construction may not have a street address yet. Post directions, GPS coordinates or the nearest cross streets at the trailer, and send someone to the gate to guide responders.
- Multiple employers. Every subcontractor’s crew needs to know the general contractor’s plan, alarm and muster point.
- Remote locations. Rural and highway sites may be far from an ambulance. Plan for more first aid capability on site, and know where cell coverage is. See Working Alone.
- Language. Make sure everyone understands the alarm and the plan, in every language spoken on the crew. See Multilingual Crews.
Drills and accountability
A plan nobody has practiced often fails. Run drills, especially when new crews arrive, and time how long it takes to get everyone counted. Use the daily sign-in sheet as your headcount list, so you know exactly who is on site. After every drill or real event, talk through what went wrong and update the plan.
Tip: Take a photo of the posted emergency map and the site address so you have them on your phone.
Standards & references
- 29 CFR 1910.38: Emergency action plans
- 29 CFR 1926.35: Employee emergency action plans (construction)
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