Evacuation
in or through High Hazard Environments
Though this eTool focuses on evacuations
for low-hazard businesses, some small businesses may deal
with chemicals or substances that could be hazardous during
an emergency. In this situation, a prudent employer may
provide additional equipment for employees to safely evacuate.
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| Special
equipment for employees |
Your employees may need personal
protective equipment to evacuate during an emergency.
Personal protective equipment must be based on the potential
hazards in the workplace. Assess your workplace to determine
potential hazards and the appropriate controls and protective
equipment for those hazards. Personal protective equipment
may include items such as the following:
- Safety glasses, goggles, or face shields for
eye protection;
- Hard hats and safety shoes for head and foot
protection;
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Eye and face protection
equipment |
- Chemical suits, gloves, hoods, and boots for
body protection from chemicals;
- Special body protection for abnormal environmental
conditions, such as extreme temperatures; and
- Any other special equipment or warning devices
necessary for hazards associated with your worksite.
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Chemical suits
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| Appropriate
respirators |
Consult with health and safety
professionals before making any purchases. Respirators
selected should be appropriate to the hazards in your
workplace, meet OSHA standards' criteria, and be certified
by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH).
Respiratory protection may be necessary if your employees
must pass through toxic atmospheres (such as dust, mists,
gases, or vapors) or through oxygen-deficient areas while
evacuating. There are four basic categories of respirators
for use in different conditions. All respirators must
be NIOSH-certified under the current
29 CFR 1910.134. See also
OSHA's Small Entity Compliance Guide for Respiratory
Protection.
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Tight-fitting facepiece |
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Full-facepiece
self-contained breathing
apparatus (SCBA) |
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Particulate
air-purifying respirator (APR),
N95 |
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