How do you alert employees to an emergency?

Your plan must include a way to alert employees, including workers with disabilities, to evacuate or take other action, and a method for reporting emergencies, as required. Among the steps you must take are the following:

• Make sure alarms are distinctive and recognized by all employees as a signal to evacuate the work area or perform actions identified in your plan;

• Make available an emergency communications system such as a public address system, portable radio unit or other means to notify employees of the emergency and to contact local law enforcement, the fire department and others; and

• Stipulate that alarms must be able to be heard, seen or otherwise perceived by everyone in the workplace-including those with vision or hearing impairments.