Emergency Preparedness: All Systems "Go"?

OSHA requirements for emergency alarm systems are detailed in 29 CFR 1910.38 (Emergency Action Plans) and 29 CFR 1910.165 (Employee Alarm Systems).

Check your preparedness concerning alarm systems with this compliance checklist, courtesy of Safety Audit Checklists:

• Do you have an established employee alarm system?
• Is there a distinctive sound for each alarm purpose?
• Is the alarm easily identifiable over workplace noise and light levels?
• Is the alarm distinctive enough so that employees will easily recognize it as a signal to evacuate the area or perform critical functions under the emergency action plan?
• Have you explained to each employee the preferred method of reporting emergencies (e.g., manual pull alarms, PA system, radio, or telephone)?
• Are emergency numbers posted near telephones, employee notice boards, etc.?
• Are employee alarm systems maintained in operating condition except when undergoing repairs or maintenance?
• Are alarms tested at least annually?
• Are alarm boxes unobstructed, conspicuous, and easily accessible?

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Checklists keep your workplace and your workers safe. See how with the award-winning Safety Audit Checklists program from BLR. Try it at no cost and no risk. Get the full story.

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Fire-Detection Systems

OSHA’s fire-detection systems standard (29 CFR 1910.164) includes these requirements:

• Your fire-detection systems must be maintained in operating condition except during maintenance and repairs.
• You must test and adjust fire-detection systems as often as necessary to maintain reliable performance.
• Systems should be restored to normal operating condition after each test or alarm.
• Systems must be protected from mechanical or physical impact and corrosion.
• Fire-detection systems installed for the purpose of actuating fire extinguishment or suppression systems must be designed to operate in time to control or extinguish a fire.
• You must assure that the number, spacing, and location of fire detectors is based upon design data obtained from field experience, tests, engineering surveys, the manufacturer’s recommendations, or a recognized testing laboratory listing.

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Examine the best-selling Safety Audit Checklists program for 30 days at no cost … not even for return shipping. Get the details.

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Be Prepared with Ready-Made Checklists

BLR’s Safety Audit Checklists provides safety and health checklists on more than 50 essential workplace topics, including emergency preparedness, to help you zero in on just the right content for your safety training sessions.

Each Safety Audit Checklists section contains:

• A review of applicable OSHA standards
• Safety management tips
• Training requirements
• At least one comprehensive safety checklist

Many sections also contain a compliance checklist, which highlights key provisions of OSHA standard. All checklists can be copied and circulated to supervisors and posted for employees.

All told, this best-selling program provides you with more than 300 separate safety checklists keyed to three main criteria:

• OSHA compliance checklists, built right from the government standards in such key areas as HazCom, lockout/tagout, electrical safety, and many more.
• “Plaintiff attorney” checklists, built around those non-OSHA issues that often attract lawsuits.
• Safety management checklists that monitor the administrative procedures you need to have for topics such as OSHA 300 Log maintenance, training program scheduling and recording, and OSHA-required employee notifications. 

Make as many copies as you need for all your supervisors and managers, and distribute. What’s more, the entire program is updated annually. And the cost averages only about $1 per checklist.

If this method of ensuring a safer, more OSHA-compliant workplace interests you, we’ll be happy to make Safety Audit Checklists available for a no-cost, no-obligation, 30-day evaluation in your office. Just let us know, and we’ll be pleased to arrange it.

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