1

How to Plan for

Workplace Emergencies

and Evacuations

U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA 3088

2001 (Revised)

How to Plan for

Workplace Emergencies

and Evacuations

U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA 3088

2001 (Revised)
How to Plan for Workplace 

Emergencies and Evacuations

OSHA 3088

2001 (Revised)

This booklet provides a generic overview of a standards-related 

topic. This publication does not alter or determine compliance 

responsibilities, which are described in the OSHA standards and 

the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Because interpretations 

and enforcement policy may change over time, the best sources for 

additional guidance on OSHA compliance requirements are current 

administrative interpretations and decisions by the Occupational Safety 

and Health Review Commission and the courts. This publication is in 

the public domain and may be reproduced fully or partially without 

permission. Source credit is requested but not required.

OSHA will make this information available to sensory impaired 

individuals upon request. Call (202) 693-1999.
Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

What is a workplace emergency? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

How do you protect yourself, your employees, and your business? . . . . 4

What is an emergency action plan? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

What should your emergency action plan include? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

How do you alert employees to an emergency? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

How do you develop an evacuation policy and procedures? . . . . . . . . . . 7

Under what conditions should you call for an evacuation? . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

What is the role of coordinators and evacuation wardens 

during an emergency? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

How do you establish evacuation routes and exits? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

How do you account for employees after an evacuation? . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

How should you plan for rescue operations? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

What medical assistance should you provide during an emergency? . . 11

What role should employees play in your emergency action plan? . . . . 11

What employee information should your plan include? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

What type of training do your employees need? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

How often do you need to train your employees? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

What does your plan need to include about hazardous substances? . . . 13

What special equipment should you provide for emergencies? . . . . . . . 14

How do you choose appropriate respirators and other equipment? . . . 14

Who should you coordinate with when drafting your 

emergency action plan? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

What are OSHA’s requirements for emergencies? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

What other OSHA standards address emergency planning 

requirements? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

What assistance does OSHA provide? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

What education and training does OSHA offer? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

What other publications does OSHA offer? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

What electronic services does OSHA provide? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

What free onsite consultation services does OSHA provide? . . . . . . . . . 19

What are the Voluntary Protection Programs? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

What partnership opportunities does OSHA provide? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

What is the value of a good safety and health program? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

What is the role of state programs? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

What other groups or associations can help me? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4

Introduction

Nobody expects an emergency or disaster -- especially one that 

affects them, their employees, and their business personally. Yet the 

simple truth is that emergencies and disasters can strike anyone, 

anytime, and anywhere. You and your employees could be forced to 

evacuate your company when you least expect it.

This booklet is designed to help you, the employer, plan for that 

possibility. The best way to protect yourself, your workers, and 

your business is to expect the unexpected and develop a wellthought-out emergency action plan to guide you when immediate 

action is necessary.

What is a workplace emergency?

A workplace emergency is an unforeseen situation that threatens 

your employees, customers, or the public; disrupts or shuts down 

your operations; or causes physical or environmental damage. 

Emergencies may be natural or manmade and include the following:

 Floods,

 Hurricanes,

 Tornadoes,

 Fires,

 Toxic gas releases,

 Chemical spills,

 Radiological accidents,

 Explosions,

 Civil disturbances, and

 Workplace violence resulting 

in bodily harm and trauma.

How do you protect yourself, your employees, and 

your business?

The best way is to prepare to respond to an emergency before it 

happens. Few people can think clearly and logically in a crisis, so it is 

important to do so in advance, when you have time to be thorough.

Brainstorm the worst-case scenarios. Ask yourself what you would 

do if the worst happened. What if a fire broke out in your boiler 

room? Or a hurricane hit your building head-on? Or a train carrying 

hazardous waste derailed while passing your loading dock? Once 

you have identified potential emergencies, consider how they would 

affect you and your workers and how you would respond.
5

What is an emergency action plan?

An emergency action plan covers designated actions employers 

and employees must take to ensure employee safety from fire and 

other emergencies. Not all employers are required to establish 

an emergency action plan. See the flowchart on page 17 to 

determine if you are. Even if you are not specifically required to do 

so, compiling an emergency action plan is a good way to protect 

yourself, your employees, and your business during an emergency.

Putting together a comprehensive emergency action plan that deals 

with all types of issues specific to your worksite is not difficult.

You may find it beneficial to include your management team and 

employees in the process. Explain your goal of protecting lives and 

property in the event of an emergency, and ask for their help in 

establishing and implementing your emergency action plan. Their 

commitment and support are critical to the plan’s success.

What should your emergency action plan include?

When developing your emergency action plan, it’s a good idea to 

look at a wide variety of potential emergencies that could occur in 

your workplace. It should be tailored to your worksite and include 

information about all potential sources of emergencies. Developing 

an emergency action plan means you should do a hazard 

assessment to determine what, if any, physical or chemical hazards 

in your workplaces could cause an emergency. If you have more 

than one worksite, each site should have an emergency action plan.

At a minimum, your emergency action plan must include the following:

 A preferred method for reporting fires and other emergencies;

 An evacuation policy and procedure;

 Emergency escape procedures and route assignments, such as 

floor plans, workplace maps, and safe or refuge areas;
6

 Names, titles, departments, and telephone numbers of 

individuals both within and outside your company to contact 

for additional information or explanation of duties and 

responsibilities under the emergency plan;

 Procedures for employees who remain to perform or shut down 

critical plant operations, operate fire extinguishers, or perform 

other essential services that cannot be shut down for every 

emergency alarm before evacuating; and

 Rescue and medical duties for any workers designated to 

perform them.

You also may want to consider designating an assembly location 

and procedures to account for all employees after an evacuation.

In addition, although they are not specifically required by OSHA, 

you may find it helpful to include in your plan the following:

 The site of an alternative communications center to be used in 

the event of a fire or explosion; and

 A secure on- or offsite location to store originals or duplicate 

copies of accounting records, legal documents, your employees’ 

emergency contact lists, and other essential records.
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How do you alert employees to an emergency?

Your plan must include a way to alert employees, including disabled 

workers, to evacuate or take other action, and how to report 

emergencies, as required. Among the steps you must take are the 

following:

 Make sure alarms are distinctive and recognized by all 

employees as a signal to evacuate the work area or perform 

actions identified in your plan;

 Make available an emergency communications system such as 

a public address system, portable radio unit, or other means 

to notify employees of the emergency and to contact local law 

enforcement, the fire department, and others; and

 Stipulate that alarms must be able to be heard, seen, or 

otherwise perceived by everyone in the workplace. You might 

want to consider providing an auxiliary power supply in the 

event that electricity is shut off. (29 CFR 1910.165(b)(2) offers 

more information on alarms.)

Although it is not specifically required by OSHA, you also may want 

to consider the following:

 Using tactile devices to alert employees who would not 

otherwise be able to recognize an audible or visual alarm; and

 Providing an updated list of key personnel such as the plant 

manager or physician, in order of priority, to notify in the event 

of an emergency during off-duty hours.

How do you develop an evacuation policy 

and procedures?

A disorganized evacuation can result in confusion, injury, and 

property damage. That is why when developing your emergency 

action plan it is important to determine the following:

 Conditions under which an evacuation would be necessary;

 A clear chain of command and designation of the person in your 

business authorized to order an evacuation or shutdown. You 

may want to designate an “evacuation warden” to assist others 

in an evacuation and to account for personnel;

 Specific evacuation procedures, including routes and exits. Post 

these procedures where they are easily accessible to all employees;
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 Procedures for assisting people with disabilities or who do not 

speak English;

 Designation of what, if any, employees will continue or shut 

down critical operations during an evacuation. These people 

must be capable of recognizing when to abandon the operation 

and evacuate themselves; and

 A system for accounting for personnel following an 

evacuation. Consider employees’ transportation needs for 

community-wide evacuations.

Under what conditions should you call for 

an evacuation?

In the event of an emergency, local emergency officials may order 

you to evacuate your premises. In some cases, they may instruct 

you to shut off the water, gas, and electricity. If you have access to 

radio or television, listen to newscasts to keep informed and follow 

whatever official orders you receive.

In other cases, a designated person within your business should 

be responsible for making the decision to evacuate or shut 

down operations. Protecting the health and safety of everyone 

in the facility should be the first priority. In the event of a fire, 

an immediate evacuation to a predetermined area away from 

the facility is the best way to protect employees. On the other 

hand, evacuating employees may not be the best response to an 

emergency such as a toxic gas release at a facility across town from 

your business.

The type of building you work in may be a factor in your decision. 

Most buildings are vulnerable to the effects of disasters such as 

tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, or explosions. The extent of the 

damage depends on the type of emergency and the building’s 

construction. Modern factories and office buildings, for example, are 

framed in steel and are structurally more sound than neighborhood 

business premises may be. In a disaster such as a major earthquake 

or explosion, however, nearly every type of structure will be 

affected. Some buildings will collapse and others will be left with 

weakened floors and walls.
9

What is the role of coordinators and evacuation 

wardens during an emergency?

When drafting your emergency action plan, you may wish to select 

a responsible individual to lead and coordinate your emergency 

plan and evacuation. It is critical that employees know who the 

coordinator is and understand that person has the authority to make 

decisions during emergencies.

The coordinator should be responsible for the following:

 Assessing the situation to determine whether an emergency 

exists requiring activation of your emergency procedures;

 Supervising all efforts in the area, including evacuating personnel;

 Coordinating outside emergency services, such as medical aid 

and local fire departments, and ensuring that they are available 

and notified when necessary; and

 Directing the shutdown of plant operations when required.

You also may find it beneficial to coordinate the action plan with 

other employers when several employers share the worksite, 

although OSHA standards do not specifically require this.

In addition to a coordinator, you may want to designate evacuation 

wardens to help move employees from danger to safe areas during 

an emergency. Generally, one warden for every 20 employees 

should be adequate, and the appropriate number of wardens should 

be available at all times during working hours.

Employees designated to assist in emergency evacuation 

procedures should be trained in the complete workplace layout 

and various alternative escape routes. All employees and those 

designated to assist in emergencies should be made aware of 

employees with special needs who may require extra assistance, 

how to use the buddy system, and hazardous areas to avoid during 

an emergency evacuation.
10

How do you establish evacuation routes and exits?

When preparing your emergency action plan, designate primary and 

secondary evacuation routes and exits. To the extent possible under 

the conditions, ensure that evacuation routes and emergency exits 

meet the following conditions:

 Clearly marked and well lit;

 Wide enough to accommodate the number of evacuating personnel;

 Unobstructed and clear of debris at all times; and

 Unlikely to expose evacuating personnel to additional hazards.

If you prepare drawings that show evacuation routes and exits, post 

them prominently for all employees to see.

How do you account for employees after 

an evacuation?

Accounting for all employees following an evacuation is critical. 

Confusion in the assembly areas can lead to delays in rescuing 

anyone trapped in the building, or unnecessary and dangerous 

search-and-rescue operations. To ensure the fastest, most accurate 

accountability of your employees, you may want to consider 

including these steps in your emergency action plan:

 Designate assembly areas where employees should gather 

after evacuating;

 Take a head count after the evacuation. Identify the names and 

last known locations of anyone not accounted for and pass them 

to the official in charge;

 Establish a method for accounting for non-employees such as 

suppliers and customers; and

 Establish procedures for further evacuation in case the incident 

expands. This may consist of sending employees home by 

normal means or providing them with transportation to an 

offsite location.

How should you plan for rescue operations?

It takes more than just willing hands to save lives. Untrained 

individuals may endanger themselves and those they are trying to 

rescue. For this reason, it is generally wise to leave rescue work to 

those who are trained, equipped, and certified to conduct rescues.
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If you have operations that take place in permit-required confined 

spaces, you may want your emergency action plan to include rescue 

procedures that specifically address entry into each confined space. 

(See also OSHA Publication 3138, Permit-Required Confined Spaces, 

and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

(NIOSH) Publication 80-106, Criteria for a Recommended Standard...

Working in Confined Spaces.)

What medical assistance should you provide during 

an emergency?

If your company does not have a formal medical program, you may 

want to investigate ways to provide medical and first-aid services. 

If medical facilities are available near your worksite, you can 

make arrangements for them to handle emergency cases. Provide 

your employees with a written emergency medical procedure to 

minimize confusion during an emergency.

If an infirmary, clinic, or hospital is not close to your workplace, 

ensure that onsite person(s) have adequate training in first aid. 

The American Red Cross, some insurance providers, local safety 

councils, fire departments, or other resources may be able to 

provide this training. Treatment of a serious injury should begin 

within 3 to 4 minutes of the accident.

Consult with a physician to order appropriate first-aid supplies for 

emergencies. Medical personnel must be accessible to provide 

advice and consultation in resolving health problems that occur 

in the workplace. Establish a relationship with a local ambulance 

service so transportation is readily available for emergencies.

What role should employees play in your 

emergency action plan?

The best emergency action plans include employees in the planning 

process, specify what employees should do during an emergency, 

and ensure that employees receive proper training for emergencies. 

When you include your employees in your planning,encourage 

them to offer suggestions about potential hazards, worst-case 

scenarios, and proper emergency responses. After you develop the 

plan, review it with your employees to make sure everyone knows 

what to do before, during and after an emergency.
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Keep a copy of your emergency action plan in a convenient location 

where employees can get to it, or provide all employees a copy. If you 

have 10 or fewer employees, you may communicate your plan orally.

What employee information should your 

plan include?

In the event of an emergency, it could be important to have ready 

access to important personal information about your employees. 

This includes their home telephone numbers, the names and 

telephone numbers of their next of kin, and medical information.

What type of training do your employees need?

Educate your employees about the types of emergencies that may 

occur and train them in the proper course of action. The size of your 

workplace and workforce, processes used, materials handled, and 

the availability of onsite or outside resources will determine your 

training requirements. Be sure all your employees understand the 

function and elements of your emergency action plan, including 

types of potential emergencies, reporting procedures, alarm 

systems, evacuation plans, and shutdown procedures. Discuss any 

special hazards you may have onsite such as flammable materials, 

toxic chemicals, radioactive sources, or water-reactive substances. 

Clearly communicate to your employees who will be in charge 

during an emergency to minimize confusion.

General training for your employees should address the following:

 Individual roles and responsibilities;

 Threats, hazards, and protective actions;

 Notification, warning, and communications procedures;

 Means for locating family members in an emergency;

 Emergency response procedures;

 Evacuation, shelter, and accountability procedures;

 Location and use of common emergency equipment; and

 Emergency shutdown procedures.

You also may wish to train your employees in first-aid procedures, 

including protection against bloodborne pathogens; respiratory 

protection, including use of an escape-only respirator; and methods 

for preventing unauthorized access to the site.
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Once you have reviewed your emergency action plan with your 

employees and everyone has had the proper training, it is a good 

idea to hold practice drills as often as necessary to keep employees 

prepared. Include outside resources such as fire and police 

departments when possible. After each drill, gather management 

and employees to evaluate the effectiveness of the drill. Identify the 

strengths and weaknesses of your plan and work to improve it.

How often do you need to train your employees?

Review your plan with all your employees and consider requiring annual 

training in the plan. Also offer training when you do the following:

 Develop your initial plan;

 Hire new employees;

 Introduce new equipment, materials, or processes into the 

workplace that affect evacuation routes;

 Change the layout or design of the facility; and

 Revise or update your emergency procedures.

What does your plan need to include about 

hazardous substances?

No matter what kind of business you run, you could potentially face 

an emergency involving hazardous materials such as flammable, 

explosive, toxic, noxious, corrosive, biological, oxidizable, or 

radioactive substances.

The source of the hazardous substances could be external, such as a 

local chemical plant that catches on fire or an oil truck that overturns 

on a nearby freeway. The source may be within your physical plant. 

Regardless of the source, these events could have a direct impact 

on your employees and your business and should be addressed by 

your emergency action plan.

If you use or store hazardous substances at your worksite, you face 

an increased risk of an emergency involving hazardous materials 

and should address this possibility in your emergency action plan. 

OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) 

requires employers who use hazardous chemicals to inventory 

them, keep the manufacturer-supplied Material Safety Data Sheets 

(MSDSs) for them in a place accessible to workers, label containers 

of these chemicals with their hazards, and train employees in 
14

ways to protect themselves against those hazards. A good way 

to start is to determine from your hazardous chemical inventory 

what hazardous chemicals you use and to gather the MSDSs for 

the chemicals. MSDSs describe the hazards that a chemical may 

present, list the precautions to take when handling, storing, or using 

the substance, and outline emergency and first-aid procedures.

For specific information on how to respond to emergencies 

involving hazardous materials and hazardous waste operations, 

refer to 29 CFR, Part 1910.120(q) and OSHA Publication 3114, 

Hazardous Waste and Emergency Response Operations. Both are 

available online at www.osha.gov.

What special equipment should you provide 

for emergencies?

Your employees may need personal protective equipment to 

evacuate during an emergency. Personal protective equipment 

must be based on the potential hazards in the workplace. Assess 

your workplace to determine potential hazards and the appropriate 

controls and protective equipment for those hazards. Personal 

protective equipment may include items such as the following:

 Safety glasses, goggles, or face shields for eye protection;

 Hard hats and safety shoes for head and foot protection;

 Proper respirators;

 Chemical suits, gloves, hoods, and boots for body protection 

from chemicals;

 Special body protection for abnormal environmental conditions 

such as extreme temperatures; and

 Any other special equipment or warning devices necessary for 

hazards unique to your worksite.

How do you choose appropriate respirators and 

other equipment?

Consult with health and safety professionals before making any 

purchases. Respirators selected should be appropriate to the hazards 

in your workplace, meet OSHA standards criteria, and be certified by 

the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
15

Respiratory protection may be necessary if your employees must 

pass through toxic atmospheres of dust, mists, gases, or vapors, 

or through oxygen-deficient areas while evacuating. There are 

four basic categories of respirators for use in different conditions. 

All respirators must be NIOSH-certified under the current 29 CFR 

1910.134. See also OSHA’s Small Entity Compliance Guide for 

Respiratory Protection, 1999, online at www.osha.gov.

Who should you coordinate with when drafting 

your emergency action plan?

Although there is no specific OSHA requirement to do so, you may 

find it useful to coordinate your efforts with any other companies 

or employee groups in your building to ensure the effectiveness 

of your plan. In addition, if you rely on assistance from local 

emergency responders such as the fire department, local HAZMAT 

teams, or other outside responders, you may find it useful to 

coordinate your emergency plans with these organizations. This 

ensures that you are aware of the capabilities of these outside 

responders and that they know what you expect of them.

What are OSHA’s requirements for emergencies?

Some of the key OSHA requirements for emergencies can be 

found in the following sections of the agency’s General Industry 

Occupational Safety and Health Standards (29 CFR 1910).

Subpart E -- Means of Egress

1910.37 Means of egress

1910.38 Employee emergency plans and fire prevention plans

Appendix Means of egress

Subpart H -- Hazardous Materials

1910.119 Process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals

1910.120 Hazardous waste operations and emergency response

Subpart I -- Personal Protective Equipment

1910.133 Eye and face protection

1910.134 Respiratory protection

1910.135 Occupational head protection

1910.136 Occupational foot protection

1910.138 Hand protection
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Subpart J -- General Environmental Controls

1910.146 Permit-required confined spaces

1910.147 Control of hazardous energy sources

Subpart K -- Medical and First Aid

1910.151 Medical services and first aid

Subpart L -- Fire Protection

1910.155-156 Fire protection and fire brigades

1910.157-163 Fire suppression equipment

1910.164 Fire detection systems

1910.165 Employee alarm systems

Appendices A-E of Subpart L

Subpart R -- Special Industries, Electrical Power Generation, 

Transmission, and Distribution

Subpart Z -- Toxic and Hazardous Substances

1910.1030 Bloodborne pathogens

1910.1200 Hazard communication

What other OSHA standards address emergency 

planning requirements?

In addition to 29 CFR 1910.38(a), several other OSHA standards 

address emergency planning requirements. These include the 29 

CFR 1910.120(q), Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency 

Response; 29 CFR 1910.156, Fire Brigades; and 29 CFR 1910.146(k), 

Permit-Required Confined Spaces. The OSHA Publication 3122, 

Principal Emergency Response and Preparedness Requirements 

in OSHA Standards and Guidance for Safety and Health Problems, 

provides a broad view of emergency planning requirements across 

OSHA standards.
17

What assistance does OSHA provide?

OSHA provides a wide range of references and services to help 

employers and employees improve workplace health and safety and 

comply with regulatory requirements. These include the following:

 Education and training opportunities,

 Publications,

 Electronic services,

 Free onsite consultation services, and

 Participation in the Voluntary Protection Programs.

To file a complaint, report an emergency, or seek OSHA advice, 

assistance, or products, call 1-800-321 OSHA or your nearest 

regional office, listed in Appendix 1. The teletypewriter (TTY) 

number is 1-877-889-5627.

Information on these and other OSHA programs and services is 

posted on the agency website at www.osha.gov.
18

What education and training does OSHA offer?

OSHA area offices offer a variety of information services including 

publications, audiovisual aids, technical advice, and speakers for 

special engagements.

In addition, OSHA’s Training Institute in Des Plaines, IL, provides 

basic and advanced courses in safety and health for federal and state 

compliance officers, state consultants, federal agency employees, and 

private-sector employers, employees, and their representatives.

Due to the high demand for OSHA Training Institute courses, OSHA 

Training Institute Education Centers also offer them at sites throughout 

the United States. These centers are nonprofit colleges, universities, 

and other organizations selected through a competitive process.

OSHA also provides grants to nonprofit organizations to conduct 

specialized workplace training and education not available from 

other sources. Grants are awarded annually. Recipients contribute 

20 percent of the total grant cost.

For more information on grants, training, and education, contact the 

OSHA Training Institute, Office of Training and Education by mail at 

1555 Times Drive, Des Plaines IL 60018; by phone at (847) 297-4810, 

or by fax at (847) 297-4874.

What other publications does OSHA offer?

OSHA offers more than 100 documents, including brochures, fact 

sheets, posters, pocket cards, flyers, technical documents, and 

a quarterly magazine. These documents are available online at 

www.osha.gov or by calling (202) 693-1888. Among the titles are 

the following:

 Access to Medical and Exposure Records -- OSHA 3110

 All About OSHA -- OSHA 2056

 Chemical Hazard Communication -- OSHA 3084

 Consultation Services for the Employer -- OSHA 3047

 Controlling Electrical Hazards -- OSHA 3075

 Employer Rights and Responsibilities Following an OSHA 

Inspection -- OSHA 3000

 Employee Workplace Rights -- OSHA 3021

 Hazardous Waste and Emergency Response -- OSHA 3114
19

 Job Hazard Analysis -- OSHA 3071

 OSHA Handbook for Small Business -- OSHA 2209

 Personal Protective Equipment -- OSHA 3077

 Respirator Protection -- OSHA 3079

What electronic services does OSHA provide?

OSHA standards, interpretations, directives, and additional 

information are posted on the agency’s website at www.osha.gov. 

Visits to the site continue to increase, with nearly 1.4 million visitors 

using the site each month for a total of 23 million hits.

Among the popular Internet offerings are electronic tools to help 

small businesses understand and comply with OSHA regulations 

and promote safety and health in their workplaces. These e-Tools 

include the Expert Advisors, interactive software programs that 

help businesses identify workplace hazards. By answering a few 

simple questions on their computer screens, employers get reliable 

answers on how OSHA regulations apply to their unique work sites.

Another popular Internet product is eCATS, OSHA’s electronic 

Compliance Assistance Tools, which help businesses identify and 

correct workplace hazards. A totally new generation of e-Tools coming 

soon will combine both decision tree logic software and graphics, 

giving users enhanced capabilities and the best of both worlds.

In addition, a wide variety of OSHA materials including standards, 

interpretations, directives, and more can be purchased on CD-ROM 

from the Government Printing Office. To order, write to Superintendent 

of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, 

DC 20402. Specify OSHA Regulations, Documents and Technical 

Information on CD-ROM, (ORDT), S/N 7291300000-5. The price is $45 

per year ($57.50 overseas); single copy $17 ($21.25 overseas).

What free onsite consultation services does 

OSHA provide?

The OSHA Consultation Service offers free onsite safety and health 

consultation services to help employers establish and maintain safe 

and healthful workplaces. The service is funded largely by OSHA 

and is delivered by professional safety and health consultants within 

state governments. Developed primarily for smaller employers 

with more hazardous operations, the service includes an appraisal 
20

of all mechanical systems, physical work practices, environmental 

workplace hazards, and all aspects of the employer’s job safety and 

health program.

The onsite consultation program is separate from OSHA’s inspection 

efforts. No penalties are proposed or citations issued for safety or 

health problems identified by an OSHA consultant. The service is 

confidential. The employer’s and firm’s name, and any information 

about the workplace, including any unsafe or unhealthful working 

conditions the consultant identifies, are not reported routinely to 

the OSHA inspection staff. The employer, however, is obligated 

to correct any serious job safety and health hazards identified in a 

timely manner, and commits to do so when requesting the service.

For more information, see Appendix 3 for a list of contact 

telephone numbers.

What are the Voluntary Protection Programs?

The Voluntary Protection Programs, or VPPs, recognize and promote 

effective safety and health program management. Companies in 

the VPP have strong safety and health programs, implemented and 

managed cooperatively by their management and labor forces in 

cooperation with OSHA. Sites approved for VPP’s three programs 

-- Star, Merit, and Demonstration -- meet and maintain rigorous 

standards. Benefits to participants include the following:

 Lost-workday case rates generally 60 to 80 percent below 

industry averages;

 Reduced workers’ compensation and other injury- and illnessrelated costs;

 Improved employee motivation to work safely, leading to better 

quality and productivity;

 Positive community recognition and interaction;

 Further improvement and revitalization of already good safety 

and health programs; and

 Partnership with OSHA.

For more information, contact the VPP manager in your OSHA 

regional office, visit OSHA’s website, or see Appendix 1 for a list of 

telephone numbers.
21

What partnership opportunities does OSHA provide?

OSHA has initiated partnerships with employers, employees, 

and employee representatives in a wide range of industries to 

encourage, assist, and recognize efforts to eliminate workplace 

hazards. Participants work together to identify a common goal, 

develop plans to achieve it, and implement those plans in a 

cooperative way. Partnerships can transform relationships between 

OSHA and an employer or entire industry. Former adversaries 

recognize that working together to solve workplace safety and 

health problems is to everyone’s advantage.

For more information, contact your OSHA regional office. See 

Appendix 1 for a list of telephone numbers.

What is the value of a good safety and 

health program?

A good, effectively managed worker safety and health program 

can be a big factor in reducing work-related injuries and illnesses 

and their related costs. OSHA offers voluntary guidelines to 

help employers and employees in workplaces it covers develop 

effective safety and health programs. Safety and Health Program 

Management Guidelines (Federal Register 54(18): 3908-3916, 

January 26, 1989) identifies four general elements critical to a 

successful safety and health management program. These are:

 Management leadership and employee involvement;

 An analysis of worksite hazards;

 Use of hazard prevention and control initiatives; and

 Safety and health training.

 These guidelines are posted on the OSHA website at 

www.osha. gov/FedReg_osha_data/FED19890126.html. See 

also OSHA’s Safety and Health Management Systems eCAT 

at www.osha.gov/SLTC/safetyhealthecat/index.html.

What is the role of state programs?

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 encourages states 

to develop and operate their own job safety and health plans. States 

that do so must adopt standards and enforce requirements that are 

at least as effective as federal requirements. Twenty-four states and 

two territories have adopted their own plans, three of which cover 
22

only public employees. For more information, visit OSHA’s website

and see Appendix 2 for a listing of states and territories with 

approved plans.

What other groups or associations can help me?

Various organizations can provide you with safety and health 

information that may help you in formulating your emergency 

action plan. A few are listed here.

Safety Data Sheets, Guides and Manuals

 AIHA Hygienic Guide Series. American Industrial Hygiene 

Association, 2700 Prosperity Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22031.

 ANSI Standards, Z37 Series, Acceptable Concentrations of Toxic 

Dusts and Gases. American National Standards Institute, 11 West 

42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

 ASTM Standards and Related Material. American Society for 

Testing and Materials, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

 Safety Standards and Specifications Groups

 American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd Street, 

New York, NY 10036. Coordinates and administers the federal 

voluntary standardization system in the United States.

 American Society for Testing and Materials, 1916 Race Street, 

Philadelphia, PA 19103. The world’s largest source of voluntary 

consensus standards for materials, products, systems, and services.

 Fire Protection Organizations

 Factory Insurance Association, 85 Woodland Street, Hartford, 

CT 06105. Composed of capital stock insurance companies that 

provide engineering, inspection, and loss-adjustment services.

 Factory Mutual System, 1151 Boston-Providence Turnpike, 

Norwood, MA 02062. An industrial fire protection, engineering, and 

inspection bureau established by mutual fire insurance companies.

 National Fire Protection Association, 470 Batterymarch Park, 

Quincy, MA 02269. A clearinghouse for information on fire 

protection and prevention as well as NFPA standards.

 Underwriter Laboratories, Inc., 207 East Ohio Street, Chicago, 

IL 60611. A nonprofit organization that publishes annual lists 

of manufacturers that provide products meeting appropriate 

standards.
23

Appendices

Appendix 1 OSHA Regional and Area Office Directory

OSHA Regional Offices

Region I

Boston Regional Office

(CT*, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT*)

JFK Federal Building, Room E340

Boston, MA 02203

(617) 565-9860 (617) 565-9827 Fax

Region II

New York Regional Office

(NJ*, NY*, PR*, VI*)

201 Varick Street, Room 670

New York, NY 10014

(212) 337-2378 (212) 337-2371 Fax

Region III

Philadelphia Regional Office

(DE, DC, MD*, PA, VA*, WV)

The Curtis Center

170 S. Independence Mall West

Suite 740 West

Philadelphia, PA 19106-3309

(215) 861-4900 (215) 861-4904 Fax

Region IV

Atlanta Regional Office

(AL, FL, GA, KY*, MS, NC*, SC*, TN*)

61 Forsyth Street, SW, Room 6T50

Atlanta, GA 30303

(678) 237-0400 (678) 237-0447 Fax

Region V

Chicago Regional Office

(IL*, IN*, MI*, MN*, OH, WI)

230 South Dearborn Street

Room 3244

Chicago, IL 60604

(312) 353-2220 (312) 353-7774 Fax
24

Region VI

Dallas Regional Office

(AR, LA, NM*, OK, TX)

525 Griffin Street, Room 602

Dallas, TX 75202

(972) 850-4145 (972) 850-4149 Fax

(972) 850-4150 FSO Fax

Region VII

Kansas City Regional Office

(IA*, KS, MO, NE)

Two Pershing Square Building

2300 Main Street, Suite 1010

Kansas City, MO 64108-2416

(816) 283-8745 (816) 283-0547 Fax

Region VIII

Denver Regional Office

(CO, MT, ND, SD, UT*, WY*)

Cesar Chavez Memorial Building

1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 551

Denver, Colorado 80204

(720) 264-6550 (720) 264-6585 Fax

Region IX

San Francisco Regional Office

(AZ*, CA*, HI*, NV*, and American 

Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands)

90 7th Street, Suite 18100

San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 625-2547 (415) 625-2534 Fax

Region X

Seattle Regional Office

(AK*, ID, OR*, WA*)

300 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1280

Seattle, WA 98104

(206) 757-6700 (206) 757-6705 Fax

* These states and territories operate their own OSHA-approved job safety and 

health plans and cover state and local government employees as well as private 

sector employees. The Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Virgin Islands 

programs cover public employees only. (Private sector workers in these states are 

covered by Federal OSHA). States with approved programs must have standards that 

are identical to, or at least as effective as, the Federal OSHA standards.

Note: To get contact information for OSHA Area Offices, OSHA-approved State Plans, 

and OSHA Consultation Projects, please visit us online at www.osha.gov or call us at 

(800) 321-OSHA (6742).
25

OSHA Area Offices

Birmingham, AL (205) 731-1534

Mobile, AL (334) 441-6131

Anchorage, AK (907) 271-5152

Phoenix, AZ (602) 640-2348

Little Rock, AR (501) 324-6291(5818)

San Diego, CA (619) 557-5909

Sacramento, CA (916) 566-7471

Denver, CO (303) 844-5285

Englewood, CO (303) 843-4500

Bridgeport, CT (203) 579-5581

Hartford, CT (860) 240-3152

Wilmington, DE (302) 573-6518

Fort Lauderdale, FL (954) 424-0242

Jacksonville, FL (904) 232-2895

Tampa, FL (813) 626-1177

Savannah, GA (912) 652-4393

Smyrna, GA (770) 984-8700

Tucker, GA (770) 493-6644/6742

Boise, ID (208) 321-2960

Calumet City, IL (708) 891-3800

Des Plaines, IL (847) 803-4800

Fairview Heights, IL (618) 632-8612

North Aurora, IL (630) 896-8700

Peoria, IL (309) 671-7033

Indianapolis, IN (317) 226-7290

Des Moines, IA (515) 284-4794

Wichita, KS (316) 269-6644

Frankfort, KY (502) 227-7024

Baton Rouge, LA (225) 389-0474/0431

Bangor, ME (207) 941-8177

Portland, ME (207) 780-3178

August, ME (207) 622-8417

Linthicum, MD (410) 865-2055/2056
26

Braintree, MA (617) 565-6924

Methuen, MA (617) 565-8110

Springfield, MA (413) 785-0123

Lansing, MI (517) 327-0904

Minneapolis, MN (612) 664-5460

Jackson, MS (601) 965-4606

Kansas City, MO (816) 483-9531

St. Louis, MO (314) 425-4289

Billings, MT (406) 247-7494

Raleigh, NC (919) 856-4770

Omaha, NE (402) 221-3182

Carson City, NV (775) 885-6963

Concord, NH (603) 225-1629

Avenel, NJ (732) 750-3270

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ (201) 288-1700

Marlton, NJ (609) 757-5181

Parsippany, NJ (973) 263-1003

Albuquerque, NM (505) 248-5302

Albany, NY (518) 464-4338

Bayside, NY (718) 279-9060

Bowmansville, NY (716) 684-3891

North Syracuse, NY (315) 451-0808

Tarrytown, NY (914) 524-7510

Westbury, NY (516) 334-3344

Bismark, ND (701) 250-4521

Cincinnati, OH (513) 841-4132

Cleveland, OH (216) 522-3818

Columbus, OH (614) 469-5582

Toledo, OH (419) 259-7542

Oklahoma City, OK (405) 231-5351/5389

Portland, OR (503) 326-2251

Allentown, PA (610) 776-0592

Erie, PA (814) 833-5758

Harrisburg, PA (717) 782-3902
27

Philadelphia, PA (215) 597-4955

Pittsburgh, PA (412) 395-4903

Wilkes-Barre, PA (570) 826-6538

Guaynabo, PR (787) 277-1560

Providence, RI (401) 528-4669

Columbia, SC (803) 765-5904

Nashville, TN (615) 781-5423

Austin, TX (512) 916-5783/5788

Corpus Christi, TX (512) 888-3420

Dallas, TX (214) 320-2400/2558

El Paso, TX (915) 534-6251

Fort Worth, TX (817) 428-2470

(485-7647)

Houston, TX (281) 591-2438/2787

Houston, TX (281) 286-0583/0584

Lubbock, TX (806) 472-7681/7685

Salt Lake City, UT (801) 530-6901

Norfolk, VA (757) 441-3820

Bellevue, WA (206) 553-7520

Charleston, WV (304) 347-5937

Appleton, WI (920) 734-4521

Eau Claire, WI (715) 832-9019

Madison, WI (608) 264-5388

Milwaukee, WI (414) 297-3315

Appendix 2

OSHA-Approved Safety and Health Plans

Juneau, AK (907) 465-2700

Phoenix, AZ (602) 542-5795

San Francisco, CA (415) 703-5050

Wethersfield, CT (860) 566-5123

Honolulu, HI (808) 586-8844

Indianapolis, ID (317) 232-2378

Des Moines, IA (515) 281-3447
28

Indianapolis, IN (317) 232-3325

Frankfort, KY (502) 564-3070

Baltimore, MD (410) 767-2215

Lansing, MI (517) 373-7230

St. Paul, MN (651) 296-2342

Raleigh, NC (919) 807-2900

Trenton, NJ (609) 292-2975

Santa Fe, NM (505) 827-2850

Carson City, NV (775) 687-3032

Albany, NY (518) 457-2741

Salem, OR (503) 378-3272

Hato Rey, PR (787) 754-2119

Columbia, SC (803) 896-4300

Nashville, TN (615) 741-2582

Salt Lake City, UT (801) 530-6901

Richmond, VA (804) 786-2377

Christiansted, St. Croix, VI (340) 773-1990

Montpelier VT (802) 828-2288

Olympia, WA (360) 902-4200

(360) 902-5430

Cheyenne, WY (307) 777-7786

Appendix 3

OSHA Consultation Offices

Anchorage, AK (907) 269-4957

Tuscaloosa, AL (205) 348-3033

Little Rock, AR (501) 682-4522

Phoenix, AZ (602) 542-1695

Sacramento, CA (916) 574-2555

Fort Collins, CO (970) 491-6151

Wethersfield, CT (860) 566-4550

Washington, DC (202) 541-3727

Wilmington, DE (302) 761-8219

Tampa, FL (813) 974-9962
29

Atlanta, GA (404) 894-2643

Tiyam, GU 9-1-(671) 475-1101

Honolulu, HI (808) 586-9100

Des Moines, IA (515) 281-7629

Boise, ID (208) 426-3283

Chicago, IL (312) 814-2337

Indianapolis, IN (317) 232-2688

Topeka, KS (785) 296-7476

Frankfort, KY (502) 564-6895

Baton Rouge, LA (225) 342-9601

West Newton, MA (617) 727-3982

Laurel, MD (410) 880-4970

Augusta, ME (207) 624-6460

Lansing, MI (517) 322-1809

Saint Paul, MN (651) 297-2393

Jefferson City, MO (573) 751-3403

Jackson, MS (601) 987-3981

Helena, MT (406) 444-6418

Raleigh, NC (919) 807-2905

Bismarck, ND (701) 328-5188

Lincoln, NE (402) 471-4717

Concord, NH (603) 271-2024

Trenton, NJ (609) 292-3923

Santa Fe, NM (505) 827-4230

Albany, NY (518) 457-2238

Henderson, NV (702) 486-9140

Columbus, OH (614) 644-2631

Oklahoma City, OK (405) 528-1500

Salem, OR (503) 378-3272

Indiana, PA (724) 357-2396

Hato Rey, PR (787) 754-2171

Providence, RI (401) 222-2438

Columbia, SC (803) 734-9614

Brookings, SD (605) 688-4101
30

Nashville, TN (615) 741-7036

Austin, TX (512) 804-4640

Salt Lake City, UT (801) 530-6901

Montepilier, VT (802) 828-2765

Richmond, VA (804) 786-6359

Christiansted St. Croix, VI (809) 772-1315

Olympia, WA (360) 902-5638

Madison, WI (608) 266-9383

Waukesha, WI (262) 523-3044

Charleston, WV (304) 558-7890

Cheyenne, WY (307) 777-7786