An emergency consists of any situation that poses immediate and extreme danger to people, property, or process. Because most emergencies are sudden, severe, and unexpected, it is extremely important to be prepared for a possible emergency. Proper preparation helps ensure safety and survival. A written emergency response or action plan is the best preparation tool for handling emergencies.

To ensure effectiveness, review and update emergency response plans regularly. Make sure that each response plan includes the following information:

• Procedure for sounding alarms
• Emergency escape procedures and escape route assignments
• Emergency procedures for employees with special needs
• Rescue and medical assistance requirements
• Names of persons or departments to contact for more information on handling emergencies
• Method for reporting emergencies
• Provision for training emergency procedures