Does OSHA have a guideline on how often fire drills are to be conducted? I think not, but just want to make sure. Also, how about guidelines as to how drills should be conducted?
[b]How to Plan for Workplace Emergencies and Evacuations[/b]
"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."
I don't know about OSHA, but where I worked previously, to comply with accrediting bodies, we held drills quarterly. We had a plan ie where people were to gather outside the building, procedures ie re doors, windows, accounting for folks, lengthn of time to evacuate etc and then developed a form that matched up to procedure and included places to comment ie Was evacuation orderly? Be sure to include an evaluation component and look at ways to improve process.
Comments
[b]How to Plan for Workplace Emergencies and Evacuations[/b]
"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."
Full document at [url]http://www.osha.gov/Publications/Osha3088.pdf[/url]
Our local fire department provides guidance when we do fire drills, so you might go that route.
Christy Reeder
Website Managing Editor
[url]www.HRhero.com[/url]