Able Safety Consulting - Emergency Action Plan Training: A Complete Guide

Think of your Emergency Action Plan as a first draft. It looks good on paper, but how will it hold up under real-world pressure? The only way to find out is to test it. Running drills and training exercises isn't about catching people making mistakes; it's about finding the gaps in your plan before a real emergency does. A confusing evacuation route or a faulty communication channel is a problem you want to discover during a practice run, not a real crisis. This is the true value of emergency action plan training: it’s your chance to refine your strategy and build a prepared, resilient team.

Key Takeaways

• Treat Your EAP as a Living Document: Your job site is always changing, and your plan must keep up. Regularly review and update your EAP to reflect new hazards or layouts, and use feedback from drills to continuously improve your procedures.
• Make Training Active, Not Passive: A plan in a binder is not enough. Build confidence and muscle memory by running hands-on, scenario-based drills that require your team to practice their roles and make decisions under pressure.
• Ensure Everyone on Site is Included: Safety is a collective responsibility. Your training must cover every person who steps on your site, including full-time workers, subcontractors, and visitors, to ensure a coordinated and effective response during an emergency.

What is an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)?

Think of an Emergency Action Plan, or EAP, as your site's playbook for when things go wrong. It’s a formal, written plan that details the specific steps everyone—from site supervisors to the newest crew members—should take in the event of a fire, medical emergency, natural disaster, or another crisis.

An EAP isn't just a document that sits in a binder; it's a critical tool designed to prevent confusion and panic during a high-stress situation. By clearly outlining procedures and responsibilities ahead of time, you create a safer, more controlled environment for everyone.

Defining Your EAP's Purpose

At its core, an Emergency Action Plan is a written document that outlines exactly how to respond during a crisis. Its main purpose is to ensure a swift and safe evacuation, minimizing the risk of injury for everyone on site. This plan is a lifeline for your team and your entire operation, turning potential chaos into an organized response. It goes beyond just telling people to get out; it covers how to report emergencies, who is in charge, and what to do once you've reached safety. A well-defined EAP is a fundamental part of a comprehensive safety strategy that protects your most valuable asset: your people.

Why Preparedness Matters on a Construction Site

Construction sites are dynamic and inherently hazardous environments. Unlike an office, the layout can change daily, and workers are often spread out and disconnected from a central communication system. This makes having a clear plan absolutely essential. The best way to protect your team and your business is to expect the unexpected and develop a well-thought-out EAP that addresses the specific risks of your site. Meeting OSHA requirements is important, but the real value of an EAP is its ability to provide clear, immediate guidance when every second counts. It prepares your team to act decisively and safely, no matter what happens.

What Goes Into an Effective EAP?

A truly effective Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is more than just a binder sitting on a shelf; it’s a clear, actionable guide that every person on your site understands. Think of it as the blueprint for safety when things go wrong. A well-crafted plan anticipates chaos and provides a structured response, ensuring everyone can act decisively and safely. It breaks down a complex, high-stress event into a series of manageable steps, covering everything from the first sign of trouble to the final "all-clear."

The strength of your EAP lies in its details. It needs to be comprehensive enough to cover various scenarios—like fires, medical emergencies, chemical spills, or structural failures—but simple enough for anyone to follow under pressure. According to OSHA, an EAP must outline the specific actions that both employers and employees need to take to ensure their safety. This isn't about suggesting a general direction; it's about providing a concrete, step-by-step process. Building this plan requires a deep understanding of your specific worksite, its unique hazards, and the people who work there. Investing in professional training services can help you identify risks and develop a plan that is not only compliant but genuinely effective in protecting your team.

Procedures for Reporting Emergencies

When an emergency happens, the first few seconds are critical. Your EAP must have crystal-clear procedures for reporting an incident. A plan is only useful if your team knows exactly how to activate it, and any confusion can make a bad situation much worse. This means outlining who to contact, how to contact them, and what information to provide.

Your plan should specify the primary methods for reporting, whether it's using a two-way radio, calling a specific number, or activating a physical alarm system. Everyone on site, including new hires and subcontractors, must be trained on these procedures from day one. Make sure they know the site address and their specific location on the property to guide first responders accurately.

Clear Evacuation Routes and Meeting Points

Getting people out of harm's way safely is a top priority. Your EAP must map out clear, well-lit, and unobstructed evacuation routes. It’s best practice to have primary and secondary routes in case one is blocked. These paths should be clearly marked with signs and regularly inspected to ensure they remain clear of equipment and materials.

Just as important is establishing designated assembly points—safe, predetermined locations away from the building where everyone gathers after evacuating. This allows for an accurate headcount to ensure everyone is accounted for. OSHA’s evacuation plan eTool emphasizes that employers must train designated personnel to help lead a safe and orderly evacuation, making these meeting points a crucial part of the process.

Defining Roles and Responsibilities

During an emergency, confusion is the enemy. A strong EAP prevents chaos by assigning specific roles and responsibilities to key personnel before an incident ever occurs. Everyone should know their job and trust that their colleagues know theirs. This might include appointing an emergency coordinator to oversee the response, floor wardens to guide evacuations, and individuals responsible for shutting down critical equipment.

Clearly defining these roles ensures that all essential tasks are completed without delay or overlap. When people know exactly what they are supposed to do, they can act with confidence. This level of organization is why having trained site safety management personnel on your project is so valuable; they provide the leadership needed to execute the EAP effectively.

Communication Plans for Any Crisis

How you share information during a crisis is just as important as the actions you take. Your EAP needs a robust communication plan to keep everyone informed before, during, and after an emergency. This plan should detail how you will alert employees to the situation, provide ongoing updates, and notify external parties like emergency services or family members.

Consider the tools you have available, such as public address (PA) systems, two-way radios, or a mass notification app. Your strategy must be integrated with your overall emergency plan to ensure consistency and compliance. A clear crisis communications plan ensures that accurate information is delivered quickly, which helps maintain calm, direct actions, and prevent the spread of misinformation when it matters most.

Meeting OSHA's EAP Training Requirements

When it comes to safety, OSHA doesn't leave things to chance, and neither should you. Having an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) isn't just a good idea—it's a federal requirement. Meeting these standards is about more than just checking a box; it's about creating a genuinely safe environment where every single person on your site knows exactly what to do when seconds count. A well-trained team is a prepared team, and that preparation starts with understanding what OSHA expects.

Think of OSHA's requirements as the foundation for your entire emergency preparedness strategy. They provide the minimum standards you must meet to protect your workers and your business. From putting your plan in writing to training your team on their specific roles, each step is designed to prevent chaos during a crisis. This isn't about creating more paperwork. It's about building muscle memory for your entire crew so that when an alarm sounds, everyone moves with purpose and confidence. By following these guidelines, you ensure that your EAP is not just a document that sits on a shelf but a practical tool that saves lives. Let's break down exactly what you need to do to stay compliant and, more importantly, keep your crew safe.

Understanding OSHA Standard 1910.38

At the heart of OSHA's requirements is Standard 1910.38, which outlines the fundamentals of an EAP. The biggest takeaway is this: if you have more than 10 employees, your plan must be in writing and accessible to everyone on the job site. This isn't a document meant only for managers; every worker should be able to review it whenever they need to. For smaller companies with 10 or fewer employees, you can communicate the plan orally, but having it in writing is always the smarter, safer bet. The standard ensures that your plan is clear, consistent, and available to the people who need it most.

Keeping Your Documentation in Order

Your EAP is a living document, not a one-and-done task. Construction sites change, and so do the people working on them. OSHA requires you to review your EAP with every employee when the plan is developed or when their responsibilities under the plan change. Before you even implement it, you must designate and train specific people to help with evacuations. These are your emergency leaders. Keeping your documentation updated and ensuring your team receives regular safety training is critical for the plan to work when it matters. Schedule periodic reviews to make sure your EAP always reflects your site's current reality.

The Cost of Non-Compliance

Failing to meet OSHA's EAP standards can have serious consequences that go far beyond a slap on the wrist. Financially, you could face significant fines and penalties that can impact your bottom line. But the true cost is much higher. An incomplete or poorly communicated EAP can lead to confusion and hesitation during a real emergency, putting your workers at risk of injury or worse. In the event of an incident, non-compliance also opens your company up to increased liability. Investing in a solid EAP and proper training isn't an expense—it's an essential protection for your people and your business.

How to Develop Your EAP Training Program

A truly effective Emergency Action Plan isn't a document that just sits in a binder. It’s a living guide that your entire team understands and can execute without hesitation. Developing your training program is about turning that plan into action. It requires a thoughtful approach that goes beyond simply handing out a manual. The goal is to build muscle memory and confidence so that when an emergency happens, everyone knows exactly what to do. This process starts with a deep understanding of your specific work environment and involves your team every step of the way.

Assess Your Site-Specific Risks

A construction site is a dynamic environment. The risks you face on day one might be completely different by day 30. That’s why your EAP training can't be a one-and-done event. Before you can train anyone, you need to perform a thorough risk assessment of your specific site. Walk the grounds and identify potential hazards, from electrical risks and chemical storage to fall dangers and equipment-related incidents. OSHA requires that you designate and train people to assist in an orderly evacuation. You must review and update your plan—and your training—whenever the site layout changes, new materials are introduced, or a new phase of the project begins.

Create Customized Training Materials

Generic training materials lead to generic responses. To make your EAP training stick, it needs to be customized for your site and your team. Use actual maps of your job site to clearly mark evacuation routes, assembly points, and the locations of fire extinguishers and first-aid kits. Instead of talking about a "fire warden," use the actual names and photos of the people assigned to those roles. When your team can visualize the plan within their own workspace, it becomes real and memorable. Creating a custom training program allows every worker to see themselves in the plan, which is critical for a swift and effective response.

Involve Your Team from the Start

The people working on the ground every day often have the best insights into potential risks. Involving your team in the development of the EAP and the training program itself is one of the most powerful things you can do. Ask for their feedback on evacuation routes or communication methods—they might point out a blind spot you missed. This collaboration does more than just improve your plan; it builds a culture of safety and shared responsibility. When workers feel their experience is valued, they take more ownership of the safety protocols. This worker engagement is key to creating a more prepared and resilient team.

Which EAP Training Methods Are Most Effective?

Simply handing your team a binder with the Emergency Action Plan and hoping they read it isn't a strategy—it's a gamble. Effective EAP training is active, not passive. It gets people involved, makes them think on their feet, and builds the muscle memory needed to act decisively when it counts. The most successful programs don't rely on a single method. Instead, they blend different approaches to make sure the information sticks, no matter how your team members learn best.

By combining interactive discussions, hands-on practice, and modern technology, you can create a training program that truly prepares your crew for the unexpected. The goal is to move beyond checking a box for compliance and build a genuine culture of safety and preparedness on your site. This means equipping every single person with the skills and confidence they need to protect themselves and their colleagues during a crisis.

Interactive and Scenario-Based Training

Let’s be honest: no one gets excited about a long, dry presentation. To make EAP training stick, you have to get your team involved. Interactive training moves beyond just listening and encourages active participation. Instead of just telling workers what the evacuation route is, walk them through a scenario. Ask questions like, "What would you do if your primary exit was blocked by a fallen scaffold?" or "How would you report a chemical spill in your work area?"

These discussions build critical thinking skills and help your team apply the EAP to real-world situations they might actually face. This approach helps everyone understand their role and gives them the confidence to act correctly under pressure. It transforms training from a lecture into a collaborative problem-solving session.

Hands-On Drills and Simulations

There's a huge difference between knowing what to do and having actually done it. Hands-on drills and simulations bridge that gap. These exercises are where your team gets to practice the EAP in a controlled environment. This can include everything from a full-site evacuation drill to smaller-scale simulations like practicing how to use a fire extinguisher or administering basic first aid.

Each type of drill helps employees practice specific responses, building muscle memory so they can act quickly without hesitation in a real emergency. Regular, practical training services ensure your team can deliver an effective response when it matters most. The goal isn't to catch people making mistakes but to identify and fix gaps in your plan before a real crisis occurs.

Using Digital Tools and Mobile Apps

Your team has smartphones, so why not use them to support your EAP? Digital tools can make your emergency plan more accessible and your communication more efficient. You can store your EAP on a shared drive or use an app that gives everyone instant access to evacuation maps, emergency contacts, and procedures right from their phones. Some platforms even allow you to send instant alerts to the entire crew during an emergency.

Tools like a digital Worker Wallet can also help by keeping certifications and safety information organized and easily accessible. Integrating technology ensures that critical information is always at your team's fingertips and that you can maintain communication when other systems might fail.

Training for Every Learning Style

People absorb information in different ways. Some are visual learners who benefit from diagrams and videos, others are auditory learners who retain what they hear, and many are kinesthetic learners who need to physically do something to learn it. An effective EAP training program incorporates all three.

You can start with a brief presentation covering key procedures (visual/auditory), follow it with a group discussion of potential scenarios (auditory), and finish with a hands-on drill (kinesthetic). By offering a variety of safety courses and training formats, you ensure that every member of your team, regardless of their learning style, fully understands their role in an emergency. This layered approach reinforces the information and makes your entire team more prepared.

Who on Your Site Needs EAP Training?

An Emergency Action Plan is a team effort, and it only works if every single person on site knows their part. It’s not enough to have a plan tucked away in a binder in the site office. From the project manager to the newest apprentice, everyone needs to understand the procedures before an emergency happens. Think of it like a fire drill—you don't just train the fire wardens; you train everyone in the building. A construction site is no different. Comprehensive training ensures a coordinated, calm, and effective response when seconds count. This means identifying every group of people who will be on your site and making sure they receive the right level of EAP training for their role.

Safety Managers and Supervisors

As a leader on site, you are the first line of defense. Safety managers and supervisors need more than just a basic understanding of the EAP; they need to know it inside and out. According to OSHA, employers must "designate and train enough people to assist in the safe and orderly emergency evacuation of employees." That's you. You’re the one who will be directing workers, accounting for personnel at assembly points, and communicating with first responders. Your training should cover leadership responsibilities, crisis communication, and how to make quick, decisive judgments under pressure. Effective training services can equip you with the skills to not only follow the plan but to lead your team through it confidently.

All Construction Workers

Every worker on your crew needs to be trained on the EAP. A plan is only effective if your employees know how to use it. In a real emergency, there won't be time to ask for directions or look up a procedure. Each worker must be able to recognize emergency alarms, know the primary and secondary evacuation routes from their work area, and understand where to go for the designated meeting point. This knowledge should be second nature. Integrating EAP training into regular safety meetings and new-hire orientations ensures that everyone has the baseline information they need to protect themselves and their colleagues. This is a core component of foundational safety courses like the OSHA 30-Hour training.

Subcontractors and Site Visitors

Your responsibility for safety extends to everyone who sets foot on your job site, not just your direct employees. This includes subcontractors, delivery drivers, inspectors, clients, and any other visitors. While they may not need the same in-depth training as your full-time crew, they must be briefed on the essential elements of your EAP. This includes knowing the sound of the alarm, the location of the nearest exits, and the designated assembly point. A simple, mandatory check-in process where visitors receive a quick safety briefing and a handout with key EAP information can make a huge difference. Ensuring all personnel on site are covered is a key part of maintaining a compliant and safe work environment.

How to Run Effective EAP Drills

An Emergency Action Plan on paper is a great start, but it’s the practice that builds the confidence and muscle memory your team needs in a real crisis. Running effective drills transforms your EAP from a document into a life-saving reflex. It’s how you find the gaps in your plan—the confusing evacuation route, the faulty communication channel, the undefined role—before an actual emergency does. A well-executed drill isn’t just about going through the motions; it’s a structured process of scheduling, practicing, and evaluating to ensure everyone on site knows exactly what to do when seconds count.

Scheduling Your Drills

Consistency is key when it comes to EAP drills. Emergencies don’t run on a predictable schedule, so your training shouldn’t either. Run drills regularly, varying the times and days to see how your team responds under different conditions. For a busy construction site, holding quarterly evacuation drills and annual, more comprehensive exercises is a solid baseline. The goal is to make emergency responses feel routine. Routine training keeps your team sharp and ensures your EAP stays relevant as site conditions and personnel change. Announce some drills ahead of time to focus on training, but conduct unannounced ones to test true readiness.

Choosing the Right Type of Exercise

Not all drills need to be full-scale site evacuations. The right exercise depends on your training goals. You can start with tabletop exercises, where key personnel talk through a specific emergency scenario to clarify roles and decision-making. Functional drills are great for testing a single component of your EAP, like the emergency alert system. Walk-throughs are perfect for familiarizing new workers with evacuation routes. Each type of drill helps your team practice specific responses, building competence and confidence layer by layer.

Evaluating and Documenting Drill Performance

The most important part of any drill happens after it ends. After the exercise, hold a debriefing session with everyone to discuss what worked and what didn’t. This is where you get your most valuable insights. Was the communication clear? Did everyone know where to go? Were there any unexpected bottlenecks or points of confusion? Gathering employee feedback is essential for refining your plan based on what people actually experienced. Document the drill’s outcome, including successes, challenges, and action items for improvement. This record is crucial for tracking progress and demonstrating compliance.

Common EAP Training Challenges (and How to Fix Them)

Even the most well-designed Emergency Action Plan can fall short if the training isn't effective. Rolling out your EAP often comes with a few common challenges, from getting your team to pay attention to making sure the information actually sticks. The good news is that these hurdles are predictable, and with the right approach, you can clear them easily. Let's walk through some of the most frequent training roadblocks and how to address them head-on.

Solving Communication Breakdowns

An EAP is only useful if your team knows it exists and understands how to follow it. When an emergency hits, clear communication is everything. If workers don't know who to call or where to go, even a perfect plan can lead to chaos. To fix this, make your EAP information impossible to miss. Use simple, direct language and post procedures in common areas. During training, confirm that every worker can name their designated safety coordinator and identify the primary evacuation route. A strong EAP relies on effective communication strategies that leave no room for confusion.

Keeping Your Training Engaging

If your EAP training consists of reading a manual aloud in the breakroom, you'll likely see more yawns than learning. Adults learn best by doing, especially when it comes to safety procedures. Instead of just talking about emergencies, create hands-on drills that simulate real site-specific scenarios. Walk the team through evacuation routes, practice using fire extinguishers, or role-play reporting an incident. Making the training interactive helps build muscle memory. When you design engaging training programs, your team is more likely to remember critical steps when it counts, turning passive knowledge into active, life-saving skills.

Handling Employee Complacency

It's easy for workers, especially seasoned veterans, to think, "An accident won't happen on my watch." This complacency is one of the biggest risks on any job site. The key to overcoming it is consistency. An EAP isn't a "one-and-done" training topic. Regular training builds muscle memory, ensuring that safety protocols become second nature. Schedule frequent, varied drills so the procedures stay fresh. By making EAP practice a routine part of your site's safety culture, you help your team understand that preparedness isn't just a requirement—it's a constant state of readiness that protects everyone.

Closing Key Training Gaps

You might have a great EAP, but are there gaps in how it's being taught? Sometimes, critical details get lost, or certain workers miss out on essential information. The best way to find these gaps is to ask for feedback after every drill. What was confusing? What part of the plan didn't work in practice? It's also important to have a solid onboarding process that gets new hires and subcontractors up to speed immediately. By proactively addressing these obstacles, you can ensure your entire team is prepared. If you identify specific knowledge gaps, specialized safety training courses can provide the targeted skills your team needs.

Helpful Resources for EAP Training

You don’t have to build your Emergency Action Plan training from scratch. Plenty of organizations offer guidance, tools, and expert support to help you create a program that keeps your team safe and your site compliant. Tapping into these resources can save you time and give you confidence that your plan covers all the essential bases. From federal guidelines to specialized software, here are some of the best places to turn for help.

Guidance from OSHA and FEMA

When it comes to workplace safety, OSHA is the authority. Their guidelines state that before you even implement your plan, you must "designate and train enough people to assist in the safe and orderly emergency evacuation of employees." OSHA’s eTool for evacuation plans is an excellent starting point for understanding your core responsibilities.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is another invaluable resource. While OSHA focuses on the workplace, FEMA provides a broader framework for disaster preparedness. According to the agency, it "offers training and education to help everyone...gain the knowledge and skills needed for disasters." Their materials can help you prepare your team for emergencies that extend beyond the job site, like city-wide weather events.

Software and Management Platforms

Modern technology offers powerful tools for managing your EAP. Specialized software and mobile apps can streamline communication, which is critical during a crisis. An effective emergency communication strategy should be fully integrated with your overall plan to ensure everyone gets the right information at the right time. These platforms can send instant alerts to every worker's phone, provide digital access to evacuation maps, and help you account for everyone at the designated meeting point. This tech makes managing your EAP much more efficient than relying on paper plans and manual headcounts alone.

Tools from Ready.gov and the NSC

Sometimes, you just need a solid template to get started. Ready.gov and the National Safety Council (NSC) offer practical resources like checklists, plan templates, and communication guides. As OSHA notes, "The best way to protect yourself, your workers, and your business is to expect the unexpected and develop a well-thought-out emergency action plan." Using pre-built tools from trusted sources helps you plan for workplace emergencies without overlooking critical details. These resources are designed to be adapted, so you can easily customize them to fit the specific risks and layout of your construction site.

Working with Professional Safety Trainers

While government resources and software are helpful, nothing replaces hands-on, expert-led instruction. Professional safety consultants can help you develop and deliver a training program tailored to your site’s unique challenges. As safety experts point out, "Emergency response training equips employees with the skills and confidence to act decisively during crises." Bringing in professionals ensures your team gets practical, memorable training that sticks. Expert-led training services can also help you run effective drills, identify gaps in your plan, and ensure you’re meeting all regulatory requirements with confidence.

How to Measure and Improve Your EAP Training

An Emergency Action Plan is only as good as the training that supports it. Creating the plan is the first step, but the real work is making sure it functions effectively when you need it most. This means your EAP training can't be a one-and-done event; it needs to be a continuous cycle of practice, evaluation, and refinement. Regularly checking in on your program ensures your team is always prepared and that your response strategies stay relevant. Let's walk through how you can measure your training's impact and keep it sharp.

Tracking Your Training's Effectiveness

How do you know if your training is sinking in? The best way is to observe it in action. After every drill, hold a debriefing session to discuss what went well and what didn't. Did everyone know where to go? Was communication clear? You can also use short quizzes to gauge understanding of key procedures. The goal isn't to test people, but to identify gaps in your training. When you find a weak spot, you can provide targeted refresher training to strengthen your team’s response. This proactive approach helps ensure your EAP is practical and truly prepares your crew.

Knowing When to Review and Update

Your construction site is constantly changing, and your EAP needs to keep up. According to OSHA guidelines, you should review your plan whenever there are significant changes on-site. This includes when an employee's responsibilities change, you introduce new equipment or hazardous materials, or the site layout is altered, affecting evacuation routes. Think of it as a living document. A good rule of thumb is to review it at least annually, but any major site change should trigger an immediate review and a training update. This ensures your plan always reflects the current reality of your worksite.

Using Feedback for Continuous Improvement

Your team on the ground has a unique perspective. They are the ones who will execute the plan during a crisis, and their insights are invaluable. Create clear channels for them to share feedback on the EAP and the training. This could be through safety meetings, anonymous suggestion boxes, or post-drill surveys. Harnessing the experiences of your employees helps you refine procedures based on real-world observations. When you involve your team in the process, you not only improve the plan but also build a stronger, more engaged safety culture where everyone feels responsible for preparedness.

Related Articles

• 5 Essentials for a Construction Site Safety Plan
• What to Look for in Safety Consulting Services
• 8 Hour Hazwoper Refresher Training Course

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should we be running emergency drills? There isn't a single magic number, but a great starting point is to hold drills quarterly. The key is consistency and variety. Running drills at different times of the day and under different scenarios helps your team stay sharp and prepared for anything. The goal is to make the response feel like second nature, not a special event. Think of it less as a test and more as regular practice to keep your safety muscles strong.

Does our Emergency Action Plan need to be different for every construction site? Yes, absolutely. A generic plan just won't cut it because no two job sites are the same. The evacuation routes, specific hazards, assembly points, and even the key personnel will change with each project. A plan for a high-rise build has completely different considerations than one for a ground-level renovation. Your EAP must be a living document that is customized to reflect the unique layout and risks of your current site.

What's the biggest mistake to avoid with our EAP training? The most common mistake is treating the EAP as a one-and-done task. Creating the plan and filing it away is not enough. The real danger lies in letting the plan collect dust and assuming everyone knows what to do. Without regular training, drills, and updates, your EAP is just a piece of paper. True preparedness comes from actively and consistently practicing the plan with your entire team.

My team thinks safety drills are a waste of time. How can I get them to take it seriously? This is a common challenge, and it often comes from workers not seeing the direct connection to their own safety. Try involving them in the process. Ask for their feedback on evacuation routes or potential problems they see on site. When they have a hand in shaping the plan, they'll have more ownership over it. Also, frame the drills as a way to protect each other, not just to satisfy a requirement. When it's about keeping their coworkers safe, the purpose becomes much clearer.

As a worker, what are the top things I absolutely must know from the EAP? If you remember nothing else, know these three things: how to report an emergency, where to go, and who to listen to. You need to know the exact procedure for alerting someone that there's a problem. You must know your primary and secondary evacuation routes and the location of your team's assembly point. Finally, you need to know who your designated safety coordinator or supervisor is so you can follow their instructions without hesitation.