You need to prepare a workplace emergency response plan before it is needed. An emergency action plan needs to be tailored to your worksite, involve a hazard assessment and spell out an evacuation policy and procedure. Emergency escape producers and route assignments should be detailed. Names, titles, departments and telephone numbers of people within and outside the company to contact should be easily accessible.
When developing your emergency evacuation plan, it is a good idea to consider the full range of potential emergencies that could take place at your work place. These may include floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, toxic gas release, chemical spills, radiological accidents, explosions, civil disturbances and workplace violence.
You should also perform a hazard assessment in order to determine what physical or chemical hazards in your workplace could potentially cause an emergency situation. If you have multiple work sites, each one should have its own emergency response plan.
Your plan should include a preferred method for reporting fires and other emergencies. An evacuation policy and procedure should also be clearly laid out. There should also be thorough procedures for employees who remain on site in order to shut down critical plant operations or operate fire extinguishers or other emergency equipment.