The short answer
An emergency action plan, or EAP, is a workplace-specific document that organizes what people should do before, during, and immediately after foreseeable emergencies. It should be based on the facility, workforce, operations, and hazards—not copied unchanged from a generic template.
What to know
OSHA’s minimum elements include procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency; evacuation procedures and exit assignments; procedures for employees who remain to operate critical equipment; a method to account for employees after evacuation; rescue or medical duties; and the name or job title of people employees can contact for more information. OSHA also addresses employee alarm systems, designated evacuation assistance, training, and review of the plan when it is created, responsibilities change, or the plan changes.
A stronger operational plan also addresses shelter-in-place and lockdown decisions where appropriate, accessible assistance, visitors and contractors, communications if normal systems fail, emergency contacts, reunification, severe weather, utility failure, workplace violence, and continuity responsibilities. Floor plans, assembly areas, role cards, and current contact lists make the plan usable. Training and exercises should test whether employees understand the procedures; an after-action review should turn lessons into documented improvements. Arrow’s emergency-response training can support preparedness, but the organization remains responsible for its own compliant plan.