(OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Compliant)
Provider: OpsIntegrity^TM

Purpose:
The purpose of this training is to provide employees with a general understanding of OSHA’s requirements for exit routes and emergency planning in the workplace. It will help workers recognize exit route features, understand employer and employee roles, and become familiar with emergency action plans (EAPs). This is not a substitute for employer-specific training or emergency drills but serves as an important foundational awareness.

Introduction and Summary

Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38, employers must develop and maintain emergency action plans and ensure that exit routes are clearly marked, accessible, and adequate for safe evacuation. Emergencies in the workplace may include fires, chemical spills, severe weather, medical emergencies, or other unexpected situations that require immediate action.

This training will explain the following key points:

• The importance of clearly marked and unobstructed exit routes.
• Basic design requirements for exit routes.
• The role and elements of an emergency action plan (EAP).
• Employee responsibilities during an emergency.
• Employer responsibilities for ensuring worker safety and compliance.
• The importance of participating in emergency drills and reporting hazards.

Your employer is responsible for providing a safe workplace, including the proper design and maintenance of exit routes and emergency planning. Employees must know their responsibilities and cooperate fully during emergencies and drills.

OpsIntegrity™ provides employers and employees with easy access to emergency resources, safety procedures, training, permitting, and forms through the OpsIntegrity online safety portal. All records, including training completion and reported hazards, are maintained and available through this portal.

You are encouraged to explore the portal and familiarize yourself with the emergency planning resources available, including site-specific emergency action plans, evacuation maps, emergency contact lists, and reporting tools.

Our Most Important Objective: A Safe and Healthful Workplace

At OpsIntegrity, we believe that maintaining a safe and healthful workplace is the highest priority for every employer and employee. This principle forms the foundation of all training modules and safety resources provided through the OpsIntegrity system.

Employers are responsible for:

• Providing a workplace free from recognized hazards.
• Complying with OSHA standards and other applicable safety regulations.
• Promoting continuous improvement in safety practices.
• Empowering workers to report safety concerns without fear of retaliation.

Employees are responsible for:

• Following safety procedures and practices at all times.
• Reporting safety concerns, hazards, or near misses.
• Actively supporting the safety culture of their workplace.

Through OpsIntegrity’s shared resources, training, and compliance tools, employers and employees work together to identify risks, prevent injuries, and maintain a strong commitment to safety excellence.

Safety is not just a policy. It is a shared responsibility and a daily practice.

Exit Route Requirements

Exit routes are critical safety features and must meet several requirements to ensure employee safety during emergencies:

• Permanent Structure: Exit routes must be built as permanent parts of the workplace. Temporary paths or makeshift exits are not acceptable for emergency use.
• Direct Access to Safety: Exit routes must lead directly to a safe area, such as a street, open space, or designated safe zone away from the hazard.
• Unobstructed Path: The path of travel along exit routes must always remain clear. No materials, equipment, or debris should block exit access or exit doors.
• Lighting: Exit routes must be sufficiently illuminated so they are visible even during power outages. Emergency lighting may be required.
• Clear Signage: All exit doors and pathways must be clearly marked with "EXIT" signs that are easily recognizable and visible at all times.
• Fire-Resistant Construction: Depending on the number of occupants and the type of building, exit routes may need to have fire-resistant materials to protect occupants as they evacuate.

Minimum Number of Exit Routes

To provide safe evacuation:

• Two Minimum: Most workplaces are required to have at least two separate exit routes. This ensures that if one route is blocked by fire or debris, employees can still exit through another path.
• Exceptions: In small workplaces with a limited number of employees where a single exit can provide safe evacuation, OSHA may permit only one exit.
• Additional Routes: Large facilities, high-occupancy workplaces, or complex building layouts may require more than two exit routes to ensure safe and timely evacuation.

Design and Maintenance of Exit Routes

Exit routes must be designed and maintained to support safe and efficient evacuation:

• Adequate Width: Routes must be wide enough to accommodate all employees likely to use them at once. OSHA specifies minimum width requirements, generally no less than 28 inches.
• Unobstructed Doors: Doors along exit routes must not be locked from the inside. Employees must be able to open exit doors without keys, tools, or special knowledge.
• Clear of Hazards: Exit access areas and discharge zones must remain free of clutter, equipment, or storage materials that could create trip hazards or block the path.
• Maintenance: Employers must regularly inspect and maintain exit routes, ensuring doors function properly, signs remain visible, and lighting is operational.

Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Requirements

An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) outlines the procedures employees must follow in emergencies. OSHA requires:

• Written Plan: Employers with more than 10 employees must have a written EAP. Smaller employers may communicate the plan orally.
  Key Elements of the EAP:
  • Reporting Procedures: How to report fires, chemical releases, or other emergencies.
  • Evacuation Procedures: Clear instructions for evacuation and designated exit routes.
  • Critical Operations: Procedures for employees assigned to stay behind temporarily to operate essential equipment before evacuation.
  • Employee Accounting: Methods to account for all employees after evacuation to ensure no one is missing.
  • Rescue and Medical Duties: Specific roles for trained personnel responsible for rescue efforts or first aid.
  • Plan Contacts: Names and contact information for individuals responsible for developing and maintaining the plan.
• Review and Training: Employers must review the EAP with each employee when they are initially assigned, when the plan changes, or when employee responsibilities change.

Employee Responsibilities

Employees play a vital role in workplace emergency readiness:

• Know the Routes: Familiarize yourself with all exit routes in your work area. Know alternative routes in case your primary path is blocked.
• Participate in Drills: Actively engage in emergency evacuation drills to practice procedures and improve readiness.
• Follow Instructions: During emergencies, follow all employer instructions without delay. Do not take unauthorized actions that could place yourself or others at risk.
• Report Hazards: Immediately notify your supervisor or safety contact if you observe blocked exits, damaged exit signs, malfunctioning emergency lighting, or other hazards.

Employer Responsibilities

Employers are legally required to provide a safe work environment, including:

• Developing the EAP: Create, implement, and maintain an Emergency Action Plan that meets OSHA requirements and reflects the specific hazards of the workplace.
• Exit Route Design and Maintenance: Ensure that exit routes meet design requirements, remain unobstructed, are well-marked, and are maintained in safe working condition at all times.
• Training: Provide employees with training on the EAP, including evacuation procedures and the location of exit routes. Training should be provided upon hiring, when responsibilities change, and whenever the EAP is updated.
• Hazard Correction: Act promptly to correct any hazards reported by employees, such as blocked exits or malfunctioning emergency equipment, to maintain a safe and compliant workplace.

Multi-Employer Worksite Considerations

Many worksites involve multiple employers working together. Each employer must ensure that their employees:

• Know the designated exit routes for the worksite.
• Are familiar with the site's Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
• Participate in coordinated emergency drills when possible.

Primary contractors or host employers typically hold responsibility for coordinating emergency planning with subcontractors and other employers present on-site. All parties must communicate and ensure that emergency procedures are clear and understood by everyone.

Reporting and Resources

• Report blocked exits, damaged signs, or any emergency hazards immediately to your supervisor or designated safety contact.
• OpsIntegrity Safety Portal provides centralized access to:
  • Emergency Action Plans
  • Evacuation maps
  • Emergency contacts
  • Hazard reporting tools
  • Training materials and safety procedures
• Records of reported hazards, corrective actions, and training are maintained for compliance and continuous safety improvement.

Summary and Key Takeaways

• Exit routes must always be clear, accessible, and lead to a safe area.
• Workplaces typically require at least two exit routes unless specifically exempted.
• Employers are responsible for providing and maintaining both exit routes and an Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
• Employees must know exit routes, participate in drills, and report any hazards.
• Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility between employers and employees.
• The OpsIntegrity Safety Portal is your resource for emergency procedures, training, forms, and reporting tools.

Acknowledgment of Completion

By completing this training module on Walking-Working Surfaces (1910 Subpart D), I acknowledge that:

• I have received training in accordance with OSHA’s General Industry standards.
• I understand the hazards associated with walking-working surfaces and how to recognize and prevent them.
• I understand both my employer’s responsibilities and my own responsibilities for maintaining safe walking-working surfaces.
• I am aware of the requirement to report unsafe conditions immediately.
• I know how to access safety procedures, training, and resources through the OpsIntegrity Safety Portal.
• I understand that this training is part of a broader safety program and that additional training may be provided by my employer.

I commit to using the knowledge gained in this training to help maintain a safe and compliant workplace.