Here’s an especially timely (from our point of view) post from my colleague Annemarie Cleary about Emergency Action Plans.

It was a normal day around the office last Thursday when the lights flickered. The power didn’t go off so we continued to work; but soon we realized smoke was rising past the 23rd floor windows and sirens were wailing outside. As we looked out the windows and down to the street, word began to spread that a transformer under the sidewalk in front of the building had blown. It wasn’t too much longer before the fire alarm sounded and we began our trek down 23 flights of stairs. As you can imagine, it was easier for some than for others. Once we arrived on the ground level, a policeman directed us past red tape barriers.

These events underscore the importance and need for having Emergency Action Plans (“EAPs”). Under Occupational Safety Health Administration (“OSHA”) regulations, most businesses are required to have an EAP. As an employer, the benefits of having a plan extend beyond mere compliance with the regulations. It makes good sense to develop or update an existing plan to protect your employees and to get your business back to work as quickly as possible.