Quick Answer
An emergency action plan checklist should confirm that evacuation procedures, alarm systems, emergency contacts, critical shutdown duties, rescue or medical duties, assembly areas, and employee training are documented and kept practical for the workplace. OSHA requires written emergency action plans for many covered employers and allows oral plans only for employers with 10 or fewer employees.
For facility teams, the supplies matter because a plan on paper still needs visible routes, clear signs, updated maps, working alarms, first aid supplies, and simple tools employees can find during an emergency.
Emergency Action Plan Checklist
| Area | What to Check | Useful Supplies |
|---|---|---|
| Evacuation routes | Confirm route maps match the current layout and employees can identify primary and secondary exits. | Evacuation maps, directional signs, floor arrows |
| Alarm and reporting | Make sure employees know how emergencies are reported and how alarms or notifications are recognized. | Alarm signs, emergency contact cards, wall postings |
| Assembly areas | Identify safe assembly points and make them visible enough for visitors, new hires, and temporary workers. | Assembly area signs, cones, high-vis vests |
| Critical operations | Document who may stay behind for critical shutdown duties and how they evacuate afterward. | Procedure holders, checklist tags |
| Rescue and medical duties | Clarify who performs rescue or medical duties and where first aid supplies are stored. | First aid kits, flashlights, whistles |
| Training and updates | Review the plan when jobs, layouts, hazards, or responsibilities change. | Training checklists, sign-in sheets, update labels |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaving old evacuation maps posted after racking, offices, or exits change.
- Assuming employees know assembly areas without signs or training.
- Listing emergency contacts that no longer work at the site.
- Keeping the plan in an office instead of making key actions visible where employees work.
- Failing to update procedures after adding new chemicals, equipment, shifts, or work areas.
FAQ
What must an OSHA emergency action plan include?
OSHA requires elements such as emergency reporting procedures, evacuation procedures and route assignments, procedures for employees who remain for critical operations, accounting for employees after evacuation, rescue and medical duties, and contact information for employees who can explain the plan.
Does an emergency action plan have to be written?
For employers covered by the standard, the plan must be in writing, kept in the workplace, and available to employees for review. Employers with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally.
What supplies support an emergency action plan?
Useful supplies include evacuation maps, exit and directional signs, assembly area signs, first aid kits, flashlights, whistles, cones, high-visibility vests, emergency contact cards, and checklist forms.
About Mick Chan
Mick Chan is part of the eSafetySupplies safety content team, helping translate workplace safety requirements into practical checklists that purchasing teams, supervisors, and crews can use when selecting PPE, signs, labels, tags, and facility safety supplies.
Final CTA
Keep emergency planning visible with evacuation maps, assembly area signs, directional signs, first aid kits, flashlights, whistles, high-visibility vests, cones, and plan update checklists. eSafetySupplies can help standardize the supplies behind your emergency action plan.
Sources
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38, Emergency action plans: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.38
- OSHA Emergency Action Plan eTool: https://www.osha.gov/etools/evacuation-plans-procedures/eap