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Emergency Action Plan Template
OSHA 1910.38 emergency action plan with roles, assembly points, fire, weather, medical and active-threat procedures, a drill log, and a continuity section.
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What you get
- All six minimum elements required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38, each with a fill-in section
- Emergency contacts, assembly points, and roles tables (floor wardens, head counters, first aid)
- Step-by-step procedures for fire, severe weather, medical, active threat, and chemical spill
- A check-in process for remote and hybrid employees
- A drill log with blank rows and a short business continuity plan with recovery time targets
Template preview
A preview of the structure. Download the PDF or CSV for the complete, ready-to-use version.
Plan details
- Company and site name
- Site address and building / floor(s) covered
- Number of employees on site (by shift)— 11 or more: plan must be written. 10 or fewer: may be communicated orally
- Plan coordinator (name and job title)— Required: someone employees can contact for more information
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38(c) minimum elements
An emergency action plan must include at least these six elements. Each links to a section of this template.
| Required element | Where it is covered | Done |
|---|---|---|
| Procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency | Section 1: Reporting an emergency | |
| Emergency evacuation procedures, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments | Sections 2 and 3: Evacuation and assembly points | |
| Procedures for employees who remain to operate critical operations before they evacuate | Section 4: Critical operations shutdown | |
| Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation | Section 5: Head count and remote check-in |
Emergency contacts
| Contact | Name / organization | Phone | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency services | Fire, police, ambulance | 911 | Give site address and entrance to use |
| Plan coordinator | [Name, title] | [Mobile] | Decides on evacuation vs shelter |
| Backup coordinator | [Name, title] | [Mobile] | |
| Building management / security | [Company] | [24-hour line] | Alarm panel, elevator recall, access control |
Emergency roles
| Role | Duties | Primary (name / title) | Backup | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plan coordinator | Decides on evacuation or shelter, calls 911, liaises with responders | |||
| Floor warden (1 per floor or 20 people) | Sweeps assigned area, checks restrooms and meeting rooms, closes doors, reports area clear | |||
| Head counter | Takes the roster to the assembly point and accounts for everyone | |||
| Evacuation assistant | Helps employees and visitors with disabilities who need assistance |
1. Reporting an emergency
- 1.Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station for any fire, or shout 'Fire' if no alarm is available
- 2.Call 911 from a safe location and give the address, building entrance, floor, and nature of the emergency
- 3.Notify the plan coordinator or [security / reception] at [number]
- 4.For non-fire emergencies, the coordinator announces instructions by [PA system / mass notification app / text alert]
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How to use this template
- 1
Walk the site
Walk every floor with a copy of the floor plan. Mark exits, alarm pull stations, extinguishers, AEDs, first aid kits, and shelter areas, and attach the marked plans to this document.
- 2
Assign roles by job title
Name a primary and backup for each role, using job titles as well as names so the plan survives turnover. Cover every shift.
- 3
Fill the procedures
Adapt each scenario procedure to your building, including where people shelter from tornadoes and how critical equipment is shut down.
- 4
Train and drill
Review the plan with each employee when it is created, when they start or change roles, and whenever the plan changes. Run and log at least one evacuation drill per year, more often for multi-shift sites.
- 5
Keep it available
Keep the written plan in the workplace where employees can read it, and update the contact tables at least every six months.
Frequently asked questions
Is an emergency action plan required by OSHA?
It is required whenever a specific OSHA standard calls for one, for example the portable fire extinguisher standard (1910.157) when employees are expected to evacuate rather than fight fires, and standards covering fixed extinguishing systems, fire detection systems, and certain hazardous chemicals. In practice most employers should have one. Employers with more than 10 employees must keep it in writing; those with 10 or fewer may communicate it orally.
What must an OSHA emergency action plan include?
At minimum: how to report fires and emergencies, evacuation procedures and exit route assignments, procedures for employees who stay to run critical operations, how to account for everyone after evacuation, procedures for rescue and medical duties, and the names or titles of people to contact about the plan. You also need an employee alarm system and training.
How often should we run evacuation drills?
OSHA 1910.38 does not set a drill frequency, but annual drills are the common baseline, and many fire codes, insurers, and industries require more. Multi-shift sites should drill each shift. Log every drill and fix what it reveals.
What is the difference between an emergency action plan and a business continuity plan?
The emergency action plan covers the first minutes to hours: getting people safe and accounted for. A business continuity plan covers how critical functions keep running or recover afterward, measured by recovery time objectives. This template includes a short continuity section; larger companies usually keep a separate, detailed continuity plan.
How do we account for remote and hybrid employees in an emergency?
Use a check-in request by text or app for regional events, with a set reply window and simple responses such as safe, need help, or unable to work. Managers call anyone who does not reply. Keep up-to-date home locations and emergency contacts in your HRIS so you know who is in an affected area.