Emergency Action Plan Template
An emergency action plan tells everyone what to do when a fire, spill, severe weather or other emergency occurs. This template gives a structured plan you can adapt to your plant in an afternoon.
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Emergency Action Plan Template
Emergency Action Plan
Company: Acme Precision Ltd Site: 1200 Industrial Way, Plant 2 Effective: 2026-10-20 Emergency coordinator: D. Whitfield, EHS Manager (555-0142)
1. Reporting fires and other emergencies
Call 911 and then plant security at ext. 5555. Pull the nearest fire alarm station for fire. Give location, type of emergency and number of people involved.
2. Alarm system and signals
Continuous horn: evacuate. Three short bursts then pause: shelter in place. Public address announcement follows each signal.
3. Evacuation procedures and routes
Evacuate using the nearest safe exit shown on posted floor plans. Do not use elevators. Close doors behind you where safe to do so. Do not return until the all clear is given by the emergency coordinator or emergency services.
Assembly points: Primary: north parking lot near flagpole. Secondary: south gate, Dock 6 apron.
4. Shelter in place
Shelter location: Interior break room and training room, away from windows Close doors and windows, shut down air handling where trained to do so, and wait for instructions.
5. Employees who need assistance
Maintained confidentially by HR. Buddy assigned for each person who needs assistance to evacuate.
6. Site-specific hazards
Flammable storage cabinet in Bay 3, compressed gas cylinder cage, ammonia-free site, forklift traffic at dock doors.
7. Accounting for employees
Supervisors take attendance at the assembly point using the current shift roster. Visitors and contractors are accounted for using the sign-in log. Report missing persons to emergency services at once and do not re-enter to search.
8. Roles
| Role | Name | Backup | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency coordinator | Directs response, liaises with emergency services | ||
| Floor warden | Checks area, directs evacuation | ||
| First aid / CPR | Provides care until responders arrive | ||
| Utilities shutdown | Safely isolates gas, power or process if trained |
9. Training and drills
Employees are trained on this plan when hired, when the plan changes and when their responsibilities change. Evacuation drills are held at least annually and findings are recorded and corrected.
A starting point, not legal advice. Check content against 29 CFR 1910.38 and 1910.39 or your local rule, and review it with your fire department. Posted maps, shelter and call lists must be kept current.
Keep rosters and contacts current
Optional: discuss syncing shift rosters and emergency contacts from your systems.
Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.
How to use this template
Fill in site details, the coordinator and the real alarm signals people hear. Describe assembly points as you would explain them to a new hire, then assign names and backups to the roles table after export. Review the plan with supervisors and walk the evacuation routes before issuing it. Post the plan or a summary where employees can see it, and keep a copy where emergency services can get one. Update it whenever layouts, processes, headcount or contacts change.
What OSHA expects
29 CFR 1910.38 requires a written EAP for many workplaces (employers with ten or fewer employees may communicate it orally). The minimum elements are: how to report emergencies, evacuation procedures and exit route assignments, procedures for employees who remain to operate critical equipment, a way to account for employees, rescue and medical duties for assigned employees, and contact names for further information. An alarm system must also meet 1910.165. Training is required when the plan is first developed, when roles change and when the plan changes.
- Reporting method and alarm signals
- Evacuation routes and assembly points
- Accounting for employees and visitors
- Rescue, medical and shutdown duties
- Named contact for plan questions
Common mistakes
Plans fail when they are generic and ignore real site features: blocked exits, a dock door that is the only path from a bay, or an assembly point that is also the truck route. Others are ignoring night shifts and weekends, leaving out contractors and visitors, and holding a drill that is announced and never reviewed. Run the drill, time it, count heads, note what went wrong and fix it before the next one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an emergency action plan required by OSHA?
Where an OSHA standard requires one, yes. Several standards, including those for fire protection and hazardous chemicals, call for an EAP under 1910.38. Most manufacturing sites should have a written plan regardless.
How often should we practice evacuation?
At least annually is a common baseline, and many sites drill each shift. Fire codes and insurers may require more. Record the date, time to evacuate, headcount issues and corrective actions.
Does the plan need to cover severe weather?
Include any emergency your site could realistically face, such as tornado, flood, earthquake or chemical release. Provide specific shelter locations and signals for each.
Who should receive a copy?
Post it where employees can see it, give copies to supervisors and wardens, and share the plan with your local fire department and landlord if applicable. Control the version so only the current plan is circulated.
If you want emergency contact lists and shift rosters pulled from your HR and ERP data, Netray can scope that integration.
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