Emergency procedures
Written plans specifying the actions to be taken in an emergency, including evacuation, notification of emergency services, and the arrangements for employees with special needs. Required by regulation in all three frameworks.
Also known as
By jurisdiction
UK HSE
“emergency procedures”Exact equivalentRegulation 8 of MHSWR 1999 requires employers to establish and, where necessary, give effect to appropriate procedures to be followed in the event of serious and imminent danger to persons at work. Procedures must include arrangements for contacting emergency services and restricting access to areas of danger.
Irish HSA
“emergency procedures”Close equivalentThe Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, section 20, requires the safety statement to include emergency procedures. The General Application Regulations 2007 also require specific emergency procedures for fire and dangerous occurrences. Employers must designate persons responsible for implementing the procedures.
US OSHA
“emergency action plan”Close equivalentOSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 requires employers with more than ten employees to have a written emergency action plan covering evacuation procedures, procedures for employees to follow, and emergency reporting. Certain OSHA standards such as 29 CFR 1910.119 (PSM) and 29 CFR 1910.120 (HAZWOPER) require more detailed emergency response plans.
Practitioner note: Test the plan, do not just write it. Arrangements must account for disabled occupants, lone workers and out-of-hours staffing levels.