National Preparedness Month (NPM), recognized each September, provides an opportunity to remind us that we all must prepare ourselves and our families now and throughout the year. This NPM will focus on planning, with an overarching theme: Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.   For more information on National Preparedness Month with weekly themes and tools, check out: Ready.gov. Cornerstone delivers!  We regularly prepare Emergency Action Plans for our clients (Facilities that employ more than 10 employees are required to have a written plan. [29 CFR 1910.38(a)]). The following requirements are incorporated through our comprehensive Plan development: The Plan must address the actions employers and employees will take to ensure safety from fires and other emergencies. The following elements are included in the Plan as required [1910.38(c)(2)] (i) Emergency escape procedures and emergency escape route assignments; (ii) Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate; (iii) Procedures to account for all employees and contractors on-site after emergency evacuation has been completed; (iv) Rescue and medical duties for those employees who are to perform them; (v) The preferred means of reporting fires and other emergencies; and (vi) Names or regular job titles of persons or departments who can be contacted for further information or explanation of duties under the Plan. Training is required as a part of the Emergency Action Plan implementation. The company must designate and train a sufficient number of persons to assist in the safe and orderly emergency evacuation of employees and other personnel on-site. Employees must be made familiar with the Plan at the time of Plan implementation or start of employment, when an employee’s roles and responsibilities change regarding the Plan, and when the Plan itself changes. The Plan is to be available to the employees at the work place. All contractors on-site must be instructed on those parts of the Plan that impact them when they are at the facility. ——————————————————————————————————— Cassie Lee is an Account Manager and Business Development Professional with over a decade of experience in environmental consulting.  You can reach her at clee@corner-enviro.com or 317-983-1719 with any questions or for assistance on Emergency Action Plan.