InstituteEmergency Planning - OSHASafety & HealthEmergency PreparednessEmergency Planning (OSHA)General Industry SafetyFocus AreaUSAEnglishAnalysisEmergency AlarmsIn Depth (Level 3)
Employee alarm systems
['Emergency Planning - OSHA']
- Employers must install and maintain alarm systems to warn employees of fire and other dangers.
- Alarm systems should be inclusive of persons with disabilities (for example, a flashing light to warn hearing impaired employees and visitors).
Employers are required to install and maintain an alarm system that has a distinctive signal to warn employees of fire or other emergencies. The system should:
- Provide warning for necessary emergency action as called for in the emergency action plan.
- Be capable of being perceived above ambient noise or light levels by all employees in the affected portions of the workplace.
- Be distinctive and recognizable as a signal to evacuate the work area or to perform actions designated under the emergency action plan.
- Employers need to make plans for warning persons with disabilities. For instance, a flashing strobe light can be used to warn hearing-impaired people.
Other steps to take include:
- Familiarizing employees with procedures for responding when the warning system is activated.
- Establishing procedures for warning customers, contractors, visitors, and others who may not be familiar with the facility’s warning system.
- Testing the facility’s warning system at least monthly.