Is an employer required to post emergency telephone numbers near telephones?

The answer depends on whether or not the employer is a construction employer, whether or not 911 is available, and what the employer’s preferred means of reporting fire, spill, medical, and other emergencies is.

According to 1926.50(f), for construction, OSHA says, “In areas where 911 is not available, the telephone numbers of the physicians, hospitals, or ambulances shall be conspicuously posted.” However, 1910.151, for general industry, does not have the same requirement.

According to 1910.165(b)(4), the general industry employer must post emergency telephone numbers near telephones, or employee notice boards, and other conspicuous locations when telephones serve as a means of reporting emergencies.

If an employer is required to complete an emergency action plan under 1910.38 or 1926.35, then that plan must include procedures for reporting a fire or another emergency. It is the employer’s decision whether or not those procedures “may” call for employees to refer to emergency telephone numbers posted near telephones.

State and local fire codes may be more stringent and call for the posting of emergency telephone numbers.