What it means
An emergency action plan covers what people do when something goes wrong: a fire, a spill, severe weather, a serious injury or a threat. It says how to report it, who is in charge, where to go and how to count heads.
A site-specific plan names the exits and the assembly points, the people with special roles, and the phone numbers or radio channels to use. It also covers workers who stay behind to shut down equipment, and anyone who needs help getting out.
Requirements depend on the type of work and where it happens. Check the current rule and your company's procedure.
Why it matters
In an emergency, nobody reads a binder. People do what they've practiced. A plan that's posted, explained and drilled gives the crew something to fall back on, and gives the lead a way to know who's still inside.
What it looks like on a site
- The plan is posted at the site and covered during orientation.
- Exits, assembly points and the nearest medical help are marked or listed.
- Roles are assigned, such as who calls for help, who greets responders and who does the head count.
- Drills run on a set schedule, and the results are recorded and used to fix gaps.
- The plan is updated when the site layout, the work or the contact numbers change.
This is general information, not legal advice. Check the current rule and your own procedures. Back to the glossary