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The purpose of an emergency action plan (EAP) is to protect employees from emergencies that may be reasonably expected to occur in the workplace. Is every employer required to have an EAP for its workplace? No. Does the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) strongly recommend it? Yes. Should you have an EAP? Certainly, if you are […]
Back to Basics is a weekly feature that highlights important but possibly overlooked information that any EHS professional should know. This week, we examine oil spills and OSHA’s recommendations for preparedness. Oil spill emergencies pose great threats to both the safety of workers and the environment. According to OSHA, employers are responsible for protecting workers […]
On December 8, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposed limiting the scope of regulatory relief provided by emergency declarations, as well as the duration of regional emergency declarations (87 Federal Register (FR) 75206). Under current regulations, when the president, a governor, or the FMCSA issues an emergency declaration, drivers and motor carriers providing […]
Back to Basics is a weekly feature that highlights important but possibly overlooked information that any EHS professional should know. This week, we examine OSHA’s recommendations for preparing and responding to wildfires. Wildfires are becoming increasingly more common with climate change, and they cause major hazards for both people and businesses. According to the EPA, […]
Back to Basics is a weekly feature that highlights important but possibly overlooked information that any EHS professional should know. This week, we examine how to be prepared to lead your team in the event of a disaster or emergency. In the workplace, one of the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) professional’s first priorities is […]
In Part 1 of this two-part series on workplace evacuations, we share the importance of building an effective Emergency Action Plan and establishing a safety strategy to address various emergency scenarios. Continuing coverage into Part 2 of this evacuation primer, we now provide a closer look at the safety requirements for establishing exit routes and […]
Sometimes your employees just need to leave. Workplace emergencies can range from isolated chemical spills, fires, toxic gas releases, and active shooter incidents to local flooding; hurricanes; tornados; and, more rarely, terrorist attacks. Workplace lockdowns or sheltering in place may be the appropriate response, but sometimes you need to evacuate your facility. But first, you […]
Today we’re getting answers from EHS Hero® experts on two questions related to fire safety and training, specifically in the use of hose stations, standpipes, and fire extinguishers. Read on to see what the experts had to say. Q: What are OSHA standards regarding hose stations and standpipes in facilities? Are employers required to train workers on […]
June marks the beginning of hurricane season in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Facility operators and EHS professionals are reminded to review requirements for minimizing, preventing, and reporting chemical releases in preparation for such hazardous weather.
Experts at EHS Hero® recently fielded a question from a subscriber about conducting building sweeps after emergency evacuations. See what they had to say, including guidance from OSHA and information on emergency action plans.