Emergency Action and Fire Safety Requirements

OSHA standard 1910.38(a) states that "An employer must have an emergency action plan." Our customized OSHA Emergency Action and Fire Safety Plan comes equipped with everything you need to be in compliance with OSHA, including: Confined space rescue, Electric power interruption, Fire and Explosion, Natural disasters (e.g., severe wind, thunderstorms, snow and ice, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods), Workplace violence (including bomb threats and terrorism), Online Access.

OSHA does not strictly require portable fire extinguishers in most general-duty workplaces. However, not having a fire extinguisher presents a serious safety risk. If portable fire extinguishers are present in a workplace, then several OSHA requirements (29 CFR 1910.157) become active. If portable fire extinguishers are present, they must:

• Be properly mounted.
• Be properly identified.
• Have a current annual inspection tag in place.
• Be of the appropriate rating type, usually Type ABC for most funeral service settings.
• Have an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) available if the fire extinguisher itself is pressurized or contains any hazardous chemicals.

Fire extinguishers must be inspected monthly by the employer, and it is a best practice to record those monthly inspections. The biggest requirement for portable fire extinguisher use, however, is that annual training must be provided by the employer for all employees who are expected to use portable fire extinguishers.

Our clear and comprehensive Emergency Action and Fire Safety Program includes helpful information on mandatory OSHA standards required for funeral homes, health care facilities, veterinarian, and other organizations. Each program comes equipped with: