Emergency ReadinessSelf-assessment

Emergency Action Plan and Evacuation Readiness Checklist

An emergency action plan explains how a workplace reports emergencies, warns occupants, evacuates or shelters, accounts for people, supports those who need assistance, coordinates trained medical or rescue help and assigns critical roles. OSHA requires an EAP under some standards, and applicable requirements depend on the workplace and hazards. This checklist helps employers review readiness, but it is not a compliance determination, fire inspection or substitute for a written site-specific plan and qualified safety review. Security personnel may support defined functions, but the employer remains responsible for its plan. During an emergency, follow the approved plan and responder instructions and call 911 when immediate help is needed.

17 checks4 sectionsSources checked July 19, 2026
Why it matters

Use a system view, not a single-control view

A plan that exists only in a binder may fail when alarms are unfamiliar, visitor accountability is missing or the person with a critical role is absent.

Readiness comes from site-specific procedures, trained backups, accessible communication, coordinated responders and improvement after drills or actual events.

Before you begin

How to use this checklist

  1. Have the employer's authorized emergency coordinator lead the review with operations, facilities, HR, security and worker input.
  2. Evaluate emergencies reasonably expected at the actual workplace, including internal and external hazards.
  3. Mark Yes only when the plan is documented where required, communicated and practical for all operating periods.
  4. Send code, fire, accessibility, medical, rescue and regulatory questions to qualified professionals and authorities.
  5. Test the plan through appropriate drills or exercises and track assigned improvements.
Interactive checklist

Answer each question from current evidence

Use Not applicable only when the item genuinely does not apply, and follow the site’s approved escalation process for any urgent condition.

Section 1 of 4

Hazards, authority and coordination

Build the plan around credible emergencies and people authorized to act.

01The plan addresses natural, technological, medical, fire, utility, security and other emergencies reasonably expected at the site.

Evidence to look for: A current workplace hazard assessment informs procedures; generic scenarios are adapted to actual operations.

02A primary emergency coordinator and trained backups have defined authority. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: Employees know who may activate procedures, coordinate outside responders and make operational decisions.

03Employees assigned critical shutdown, evacuation-support or accountability duties have written role instructions. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: Duties are limited to trained, authorized personnel and do not delay evacuation beyond the approved plan.

04The plan is coordinated with building management and applicable fire, medical, law-enforcement or emergency-management partners.

Evidence to look for: External resources named in the plan are aware of expected coordination where practicable and current contacts are maintained.

Section 2 of 4

Reporting, alarms and communication

Make sure people can recognize an emergency and reach help through more than one path.

05Employees know how to report an emergency internally and contact 911. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: Instructions are brief, accessible, current and do not require internal approval before calling 911 for immediate danger.

06Alarm or notification methods are distinctive, perceivable and matched to required protective actions. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: Qualified reviewers consider noise, language, visual or audible accessibility and different work locations.

07Emergency contact lists include current primary and backup roles and are protected appropriately. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: Authorized users can access the list during an outage without publishing personal information.

08A backup communication method is planned for foreseeable power, internet, cellular or staffing disruptions.

Evidence to look for: The method is tested safely and appropriate for the site's hazards and operating hours.

Section 3 of 4

Evacuation, shelter and accountability

Confirm that protective actions work for employees, visitors and people needing assistance.

09Primary and alternate evacuation routes, exits and assembly areas are current and usable. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: Qualified life-safety and accessibility reviewers validate routes; current maps are posted or distributed where appropriate.

10Shelter-in-place or other protective-action locations and triggers are defined for relevant hazards.

Evidence to look for: The plan explains who decides, how occupants are notified and how conditions are monitored.

11The accountability process covers employees, visitors, contractors and people working away from their usual area. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: Responsible roles have current rosters or logs and know how to report a missing person without re-entering danger.

12Plans address people who may need communication, mobility or other assistance. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: Arrangements are developed respectfully with affected people and accessibility professionals and include trained backups.

13Rescue and medical responsibilities rely on appropriately trained and equipped personnel or public responders. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: Untrained employees and guards are not expected to perform rescue or treatment beyond their training and authorization.

Section 4 of 4

Training, drills and maintenance

Keep the plan understandable and current as people and conditions change.

14Employees receive relevant plan instruction at assignment and when duties or the plan change.

Evidence to look for: Training is role-specific, documented and available in accessible formats and languages appropriate to the workforce.

15Drills or exercises are conducted at a risk-appropriate frequency and evaluated safely.

Evidence to look for: Exercises account for all shifts and do not create foreseeable harm; public-safety partners participate when appropriate.

16After-action findings from drills and emergencies are assigned, tracked and verified.

Evidence to look for: The action log identifies strengths, gaps, owner, due date and completion evidence.

17The plan, maps, contacts and responsibilities are reviewed after changes and on a defined schedule.

Evidence to look for: Triggers include renovations, process or staffing changes, new hazards, incidents and lessons from exercises.

Current result

Complete the checklist to see a summary

Results are informational and do not certify compliance or eliminate risk.

Common mistakes

What can weaken the review

  • Copying a template without adapting it to site hazards, shifts, occupants and operations.
  • Assuming everyone will recognize an alarm or know whether to evacuate or shelter.
  • Accounting for employees but not visitors, contractors or people away from their usual workspace.
  • Assigning rescue, medical or shutdown duties without training, equipment and backups.
  • Running a drill without accessibility, safety and operational planning.
  • Treating a completed checklist as proof of OSHA, fire-code or accessibility compliance.
Practical questions

Frequently asked questions

What should an emergency action plan include?

Core elements commonly address emergency reporting, evacuation procedures and routes, critical-operation duties, accountability after evacuation, rescue and medical responsibilities, and contacts for plan information. Other requirements depend on the workplace.

Does every employer need a written emergency action plan?

OSHA requires an EAP under certain standards and provides special provisions for some employers with 10 or fewer employees. Employers should verify applicable federal, Arizona, local and site-specific requirements with qualified professionals.

What is the security guard's role in an evacuation?

Only the role defined in the site plan, post orders and training. Possible support may include communication, access or observation, but guards do not replace the employer's coordinator, fire department, EMS or other public responders.

How often should an emergency plan be reviewed?

Use a defined schedule and review after changes in staffing, layout, operations or hazards and after drills or incidents. Applicable standards, authorities and risk may require specific timing.

When should a workplace shelter instead of evacuating?

That decision depends on the hazard, building and official instructions. The site-specific plan should define authority and communication for relevant scenarios; workers should not improvise a universal rule.

Sources and evidence baseline

These references support the general planning baseline. Site-specific decisions still require the responsible organization and appropriate qualified professionals.

  1. 29 CFR 1910.38 — Emergency Action PlansOccupational Safety and Health Administration

    Minimum federal EAP elements, employee review and plan requirements where the standard applies.

  2. Emergency Action Plan ChecklistOccupational Safety and Health Administration

    Hazards, contacts, rescue, medical assistance, evacuation, training and plan-review questions.

  3. Emergency Preparedness and Response: Getting StartedOccupational Safety and Health Administration

    Employer planning, protective actions and EAP context for general and construction workplaces.

  4. Ready Business Emergency Response PlanReady.gov

    Evacuation teams, assembly areas, employee and visitor accountability and assistance roles.

Source links checked: July 19, 2026

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