Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
No one wants it to happen, but an emergency, natural or manmade, can strike at anytime, 24/7. What’s more, it need not be a major, nationally-televised incident, such as a hurricane, earthquake, or act of political terror. An event as common as a local building fire can present just as large a challenge to you. These resources will help you create a plan for handling such crises, whatever their scope, and to carry it out in a way that best protects your employees and your company.
Free Special Report: 50 Tips for More Effective Safety Training
Next week (October 9-15) is Fire Prevention Week. What are you doing to prepare for the risk of fire in your workplace? OSHA requires most employers to implement a fire prevention plan to minimize fire risks and the need for evacuation. The plan must be in writing and available for employee review. According to OSHA’s […]
Yesterday, we talked about design requirements for emergency exit routes. Today, we review OSHA’s emergency exit maintenance, safeguarding, and operational requirements. OSHA standards require emergency exit routes to be maintained in safe and fully operational condition at all times. This means you must: Keep exit routes free of explosive or highly flammable furnishings and other […]
When assessing the potential for respiratory hazard exposure in the workplace, OSHA says the key issues are when, what, and how much. OSHA defines an exit route as “a continuous and unobstructed path of exit travel from any point within a workplace to a place of safety.” An exit route consists of three parts: Exit […]
If you are faced with an unforeseen emergency at work, such as a fire or explosion, you don’t want to waste precious moments trying to figure out what to do and who to listen to. That’s why all workplace emergency plans have a chain of command that links one person with overall responsibility for managing […]
You’ve seen the destructive force of tornadoes vividly illustrated on TV over the past couple of months. Are you and your employees prepared to survive such a catastrophic event? Many areas of the country have experienced severe tornadoes this spring, and the threat continues now that summer is here. Since tornadoes pose a major threat […]
When thunder roars and lightning flashes, will your workers be safe on or off the job? Train them to recognize the hazards and take proper precautions. Thunder and lightning storms are such a common weather conditions during the summer months that people often ignore the risks. But according to the National Weather Service, lighting is […]
The one thing most workplace emergencies have in common is that you can rarely predict when they’ll strike. So effective warning systems are the best defense against widespread injuries and destruction. 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 […]
Evacuating employees safely in a workplace emergency is a major issue in preparedness planning. And an important part of that planning for many employers is accounting for workers with disabilities. It’s hard enough for the average worker to make a safe escape from the workplace in an emergency. But the problem is much tougher for […]
Yesterday, we reviewed the purpose of OSHA-required emergency action plans, how to develop one, and who needs to have one. Today, we cover what should be included in your EAP and how to communicate this information to employees. At a minimum, OSHA requires EAPs to include: Means of reporting fires and other emergencies Emergency procedures […]
You never know when a workplace emergency will strike. Be prepared with an effective EAP. OSHA says the purpose of an emergency action plan (EAP) is to facilitate and organize employer and employee actions during workplace emergencies. This means that a well-developed EAP is essential for the safety of employees. It’s also essential for regulatory […]