OSHA - Safety Certificate Emergency Action and Fire Plans Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38, which of the following is a minimum required element of an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)?
- A detailed budget for emergency response equipment.
- Procedures for accounting for all employees after an evacuation. (Correct answer)
- A list of preferred hospitals for medical treatment.
- The home phone numbers of all company executives.
Correct answer: Procedures for accounting for all employees after an evacuation.
OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.38(c)(4) explicitly requires that an Emergency Action Plan include 'Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation.' The other options, while potentially useful information, are not mandated minimum elements under this specific OSHA standard.
Question 2: A small marketing firm employs 12 people in an office building. The company has established evacuation routes and an emergency reporting system. Under OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.38(b), what is the requirement for their Emergency Action Plan (EAP)?
- The plan can be communicated orally because it's a low-hazard environment.
- A written plan is not required as long as they conduct annual drills.
- The plan must be in writing and kept in the workplace. (Correct answer)
- They are exempt from having an EAP due to the small number of employees.
Correct answer: The plan must be in writing and kept in the workplace.
OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.38(b) states that an EAP must be in writing. The exception for communicating the plan orally only applies to employers with 10 or fewer employees. Since this company has 12 employees, they are required to have a written plan available for employee review.
Question 3: Which of the following elements is specifically required for a Fire Prevention Plan (FPP) under 29 CFR 1910.39, but not for an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)?
- Procedures for emergency evacuation and exit route assignments.
- Names of employees designated to assist in an evacuation.
- A list of major workplace fire hazards and their control procedures. (Correct answer)
- The preferred means of reporting fires and other emergencies.
Correct answer: A list of major workplace fire hazards and their control procedures.
According to 29 CFR 1910.39(c)(1), a Fire Prevention Plan must include a list of all major fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures, potential ignition sources and their control, and the type of fire protection equipment necessary. The other options are required elements of an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) under 29 CFR 1910.38.
Question 4: An employer has installed an employee alarm system to communicate emergencies. To comply with OSHA standards, what is a key requirement for this alarm?
- The alarm must be audible only in the immediate area of the hazard.
- The alarm signal must be distinctive and recognizable to all employees. (Correct answer)
- The alarm must automatically contact the local fire department.
- The alarm must be tested once every year during a scheduled fire drill.
Correct answer: The alarm signal must be distinctive and recognizable to all employees.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38(d) requires that the employee alarm system use a distinctive signal. Furthermore, 29 CFR 1910.165(b)(3) specifies the alarm must be distinctive and recognizable by all employees as a signal for a specific purpose, such as evacuation. This ensures there is no confusion about what the alarm signifies.
Question 5: An employee is initially trained on the company's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) when hired. A year later, they are promoted to a new role which includes responsibilities for shutting down critical equipment during an evacuation. According to 29 CFR 1910.38(f), what must the employer do?
- Provide a written copy of the updated plan to the employee.
- Review the EAP with the employee to cover their new responsibilities. (Correct answer)
- Wait for the annual company-wide EAP review session.
- Verbally confirm the employee has read the EAP on their own.
Correct answer: Review the EAP with the employee to cover their new responsibilities.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38(f)(2) requires an employer to review the Emergency Action Plan with each employee when that employee's responsibilities under the plan change. Simply providing a copy or waiting for an annual review is not sufficient; the employer must actively review the plan and the new duties with the employee.
Question 6: An employer's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) designates certain employees to perform rescue and medical duties. What is the employer's minimum obligation for these specific employees under the EAP?
- Ensure they have personal health insurance.
- Provide them with a list of local emergency phone numbers.
- Include procedures to be followed by them in the EAP. (Correct answer)
- Recommend they take a community first-aid course.
Correct answer: Include procedures to be followed by them in the EAP.
According to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38(c)(5), if any employees are assigned to perform rescue or medical duties, the Emergency Action Plan must include the procedures they are to follow. While providing phone numbers and recommending courses are good practices, including their specific procedures within the written plan is a mandatory minimum element.
OSHA - Safety Certificate Emergency Action and Fire Plans Questions and Answers 1
According to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38, which of the following is a minimum required element of an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)?