Emergency Action Plan
Evacuation procedures, emergency contacts, employee accountability.
What this document is
An Emergency Action Plan is a written document that describes the actions employees must take during workplace emergencies. It coordinates evacuation, notifies responders, and accounts for all workers after an incident.
The regulation that requires it
29 CFR 1910.38 requires employers to have an Emergency Action Plan when an OSHA standard in Subpart E requires one. 29 CFR 1926.35 applies the same requirement to construction employers and states that the plan must be in writing, cover the elements listed in 1910.38, and be available for employee review. The rule requires procedures for reporting emergencies, evacuation, and employee accountability.
Who needs it
General industry and construction employers with 10 or more employees must maintain a written Emergency Action Plan. Contractors in trades such as electrical, plumbing, framing, and site work need one on every job site. In California the same requirements apply under Title 8 CCR Section 3220, which adopts and supplements the federal standard.
What happens without it
OSHA and Cal/OSHA frequently cite the lack of a written Emergency Action Plan during inspections. Violations are typically classified as Serious with penalties in the current federal range of $16,131 to $161,323 for Willful or Repeat cases. Multi-employer worksites increase citation risk because general contractors can be cited for subcontractor noncompliance.
What's included in the generated document
- Emergency reporting procedures
- Evacuation routes and exits
- Procedures to account for all employees
- Emergency contact list and responsibilities
- Plan review and training requirements
How to implement it at your company
- Talk to Guy first. Describe your operation, trade, and location — Guy draws from 300,000+ verified OSHA and state regulatory citations to build a compliance plan specific to your company. Your answers shape every section of the document you receive. Takes about 10 minutes.
- Download and review the PDF for accuracy with your site layout and contacts.
- Customize evacuation maps and emergency phone numbers to match your location.
- Train all employees on the plan contents and their assigned roles.
- Post the plan at the job site and keep a copy in the job folder.
- Review and update the plan whenever site conditions or personnel change.
View state-specific requirements
How this document changes by state — citations, enforcing agency, and any overrides beyond the federal baseline.