What are OSHA’s requirements for emergency shelters?

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSH Act) makes employers responsible for the safety and health of its workers and for providing a safe and healthful workplace for its workers. Employers are required to protect workers from the anticipated hazards associated with the response and recovery operations that workers are likely to conduct. To meet this responsibility — many employers choose to have “severe weather shelters” in place for their workers — however is not required by OSHA. Many cities even have designated pubic severe weather shelters that can be used as is applicable.

Requirements for suitable severe weather shelters can be found in NFPA’s life codes, FEMA at its P-320 “Taking Shelter from the Storm” document, and ICC 500 — the International Code Council. VOSH has adopted the majority of federal OSHA’s standard and doesn’t have any more information on this issue. So, follow the federal OSHA guidance above. OSHA 1910 for General Industry — does not have a standard about tornadoes or requiring a “severe weather shelter.” However, OSHA 1910.38 does require employers to have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) — in certain circumstances — like in Process Safety Management.