Many dental practices are unsure of requirements for employee alarms for emergency evacuation. Several options are available for notifying employees that an evacuation is necessary: pull alarms, overhead paging, phone paging, etc. OSHA has a standard titled Employee Alarm Systems at paragraphs (b)(2-3) of CFR 1910.165.

The paragraphs state that employee alarms must be capable of being perceived above ambient noise levels by all employees in the workplace. The alarm must be distinctive and recognizable as a signal to evacuate. There is no requirement to have both a pull alarm and overhead paging.  Employers with ten or fewer employees can use direct voice communication to sound an alarm, if all employees can hear it.

Employees should be familiar with their assigned roles during an emergency evacuation, and the designated assembly point(s). If safe to do so, they should follow established shutdown procedures. Account for all personnel/patients who were in the facility. OSHA requires an annual evacuation drill, which can be performed as a conference style drill, in which you meet and discuss all the evacuation elements.

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In addition, Eagle Associates automatically updates its policies, forms, tools, and training materials in response to regulatory changes, enforcement actions and interpretations.  You will no longer need to spend time and energy keeping pace with the shifting regulatory environment.

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