Workplace Emergency Action Plans: Protecting Employees, Customers & Your Business

Emergencies can occur in any workplace—offices, retail stores, restaurants, fitness centers, schools, warehouses, construction sites, and corporate buildings. Whether your team faces a medical emergency, fire, severe bleeding incident, asthma attack, allergic reaction, cardiac arrest, evacuation, or workplace violence event, employees must know how to respond before professional first responders arrive.

A well-designed Workplace Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is the foundation of a safe, prepared, and resilient organization.

Why Every Workplace Must Have an Emergency Action Plan

Emergencies escalate quickly. Without a structured plan, even trained employees may freeze or act inconsistently, increasing risk for everyone involved.

A comprehensive EAP helps your team:

✔ Recognize and identify the type of emergency
✔ Activate 911 and follow the chain of command
✔ Locate and use AEDs, first-aid kits, and bleeding control kits
✔ Evacuate safely and account for all staff
✔ Provide lifesaving care until EMS arrives
✔ Reduce workplace liability and improve overall safety culture

Businesses without an emergency plan face preventable injuries, operational disruptions, and legal exposure. An EAP is not just smart—it’s a critical component of workplace compliance and risk management.

Medical Emergencies in the Workplace

Workplace medical emergencies are more common than most employers realize. These events occur suddenly and require fast, organized action.

Common Medical Emergencies

• Cardiac arrest

• Choking

• Severe bleeding or amputation

• Stroke symptoms

• Allergic reactions & anaphylaxis

• Asthma attacks

• Seizures

• Heat illness

• Slips, falls, and accidental injuries

Every Workplace Should Have:

✔ At least 2–5 employees trained in AHA CPR/AED (more for large teams)
✔ An AED accessible within 3 minutes of any location
✔ A clearly labeled and fully stocked first-aid kit
✔ Bleeding control kits (tourniquet, wound-packing gauze, pressure dressings)
✔ Emergency medications such as EpiPen/Naloxone, if permitted by policy
✔ Emergency contact lists posted in common areas

Training empowers employees to act with confidence—not hesitation.

Fire Safety & Evacuation Procedures

Fires can spread rapidly, making clear evacuation plans essential for every type of workplace.

A strong EAP should outline:

• Primary and secondary evacuation routes

• Outdoor assembly points

• Alarm activation procedures

• Who checks restrooms, break rooms, or secondary areas

• Who meets EMS to provide building details

• Procedures for employees with mobility limitations

Conducting regular fire drills ensures staff know routes and roles long before a real emergency occurs.

Severe Bleeding & Trauma Response

Uncontrolled bleeding is the #1 preventable cause of death in traumatic injuries. With proper training, bystanders can stop major bleeding within minutes.

Employees should learn:
✔ How to apply firm direct pressure
✔ How to pack deep wounds with gauze
✔ How and when to use a tourniquet
✔ How to recognize life-threatening bleeding versus minor injuries
✔ How to activate EMS while providing care

BVAC offers Stop the Bleed, First Response Essentials, and Tactical First Aid courses designed specifically for workplace teams.

Workplace Violence & Security Incidents

Violence-related emergencies are unpredictable but increasingly important to prepare for.

Your EAP should include:

• Active violence response guidelines

• Lockdown and shelter-in-place procedures

• Communication strategies during threats

• Identifying suspicious persons or behaviors

• Employee responsibilities during security events

Training reduces panic and helps preserve life during high-stress, high-risk incidents.

Communication, Leadership & Assigned Roles

Clear communication saves lives. Every organization should designate trained individuals for the following roles:

• Incident Commander – Directs the overall emergency response

• Medical Responder – Starts CPR/first aid

• Evacuation Leader – Guides employees out safely

• 911 Liaison – Meets and communicates with arriving responders

• AED Responder – Retrieves and operates the AED

• Floor Wardens – Ensure all staff are accounted for

Defined roles eliminate confusion and speed up lifesaving intervention.

Training: The Most Important Part of an EAP

An Emergency Action Plan is only effective when employees are trained to use it. Hands-on practice makes the difference between reading instructions and performing under pressure.

BVAC Rescue Response Training Center provides workplace-specific courses, including:

• AHA CPR/AED Certification (BLS, Heartsaver)

• Workplace First Aid & Medical Emergency Response

• Stop the Bleed – Bleeding Control Training

• BVAC First Response Essentials

• Customized Emergency Action Plan development and drills

• Active Violence & Security Awareness Training

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We help businesses create safer workplaces that protect employees, customers, and the public.

 A prepared workplace is a confident workplace.
When employees know exactly how to respond, they can save lives, reduce injuries, and keep your business operating safely—even during unexpected emergencies.

BVAC Rescue Response Training Center proudly provides customized workplace safety training for businesses across Queens, NYC, and the surrounding region.

Contact us to build or update your Workplace Emergency Action Plan today.