This document outlines the requirements for an OSHA Emergency Response Plan under 29 CFR 1910.120(q). It must be in writing and available for inspection. The plan must address: pre-emergency planning and coordination; personnel roles and training; emergency recognition and prevention; site security and evacuation routes; decontamination; medical treatment; alerts and responses; critique and follow up; PPE and equipment. For emergency response, an individual in charge will oversee operations and safety. A safety official will identify hazards. Employees entering hazardous areas must wear proper PPE like respirators. Back-up personnel must provide assistance if needed. Specialized support staff must receive safety briefings. Specialist employees require annual competence training in their

1. OSHA Emergency Response
Plan
29 CFR 1910.120 (q)

2. Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
• “An ERP shall be developed
and implemented prior to
commencement of emergency
response operations”
• “The plan shall be in writing
and available for inspection
and copying by employees,
their representatives and
OSHA inspectors”
29 CFR 1910.120(q)(1)

3. Elements of and Emergency
Response Plan
1) Pre-emergency planning and
coordination with outside
authorities
2) Personnel roles, lines of authority,
training, & communication

4. Elements of and Emergency
Response Plan
3) Emergency
recognition and
prevention
4) Safe distances and
places of refuge
Recommended evacuation distances are
found in the green section of the DOT ERG

5. Elements of and Emergency
Response Plan
5) Site security and control
6) Evacuation routes and procedures

6. Elements of and Emergency
Response Plan
7) Decontamination
8) Emergency medical
treatment & first aid

7. Elements of and Emergency
Response Plan
9) Emergency alerting
& response
procedures
10)Critique of response
and follow-up

8. Elements of and Emergency
Response Plan
11)PPE & emergency
equipment

9. Procedures for Handling an
Emergency Response

10. Individual in Charge
• The senior emergency
response official
responding to an
emergency is responsible
for:
– Implementing appropriate
emergency response
operations
– Selecting the appropriate
PPE
– Limiting the numbers of
responders on site

11. Individual in Charge
• The senior emergency
response official
responding to an
emergency is responsible
for:
– Designating a safety official
– Implementing appropriate
DECON procedures

12. Safety Official (SO)
• The safety officer is
responsible for:
– Identifying & evaluating
hazards
– Providing direction with
respect to operations safety
– Alter, suspend, or terminate
activities if an unsafe
condition exists

13. Employees
• Employees engaged in
emergency response
and exposed to actual
or potential inhalation
hazards must wear
PPSCBA’s

14. Back-up Personnel
• Back-up personnel
must stand by with
equipment to provide
assistance or rescue
(when personnel enter
an IDLH atmosphere)

15. Skilled Support Personnel
• If skilled support personnel
are necessary to operate
specialized equipment:
– They are not required the
regular HAZWOPER training
required for normal employees,
however
– They must be giving safety
briefings on the site including
PPE required and chemical
hazards at the site

16. Specialist Employees
• These are employees
who will provide
technical advice within
their expertise
• They must receive
training or demonstrate
competence in their
specialty annually
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