Occupational Safety and Health Administration

How to Plan for Workplace Emergencies and Evacuations Occupational Safety and Health Administration

A workplace emergency is an unforeseen situation that threatens your employees, customers, or the public; disrupts or shut down your operations; or causes physical or environmental damage. Emergencies may be natural or manmade and include: floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, toxic gas releases, chemical spills, radiological accidents, explosions, civil disturbances, and workplace violence resulting in bodily harm and trauma. OSHA 3088, How to Plan for Workplace Emergencies and Evacuations, is designed to help employers plan for the possibility of an emergency or disaster. Nobody expects an emergency or disaster, especially one that affects them, their employees, and their business personally. Yet the simple truth is that emergencies and disasters can strike anyone, anytime, and anywhere. You and your employees could be forced to evacuate your company when you least expect it. The best way to protect yourself, your workers, and your business is to expect the unexpected and develop a well-thought-out emergency action plan to guide you when immediate action is necessary. The best way is to prepare to respond to an emergency before it happens.