PSM General Awareness Training by Gary Whitmore - HTML preview

Chapter 13 – Emergency Planning and Response

Employers shall establish and implement an emergency action plan per 29 CFR 1910.38. Therefore, an emergency planning and response plan is required to be developed.

The emergency action and response plan at a minimum, must have procedures for:

• Reporting a fire or other emergency
• Emergency evacuation, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments
• Employees to remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate
• Accounting for all employees after evacuation
• Employees performing rescue or medical duties
• The name and job title of every employee who may be contacted by employees who need more information about the plan.

Emergency action plan must be in writing and kept in the workplace and made available to employees for review.

The employer must have and maintain an employee alarm system, which uses a distinctive signal for each purpose and complies with 29 CFR 1910.165.

Employee alarms per 29 CFR 1910.165 states that:

• Distinct signal to provide warning for emergency action or employee escape per emergency action plan
• Alarm shall be perceived above ambient noise or light
• Alarm shall be perceived in all work areas
• Employee must know reporting procedure - pull box, radio, telephone etc.
• Alarm tests every two months at a minimum.
• Back up alarm system should be installed if needed

Like other documentation of a PSM program, an emergency planning and response plan must be reviewed with each employee covered by the plan. It is recommended that the plan be reviewed annually to ensure the plan is accurate and current.