Optimizing Your Emergency Action Plan for 2026

As we enter 2026, it is time to review your safety protocols. Under OSHA requirement 1910.38 (Subpart E), every workplace must have a dedicated Emergency Action Plan (EAP).

Compliance Requirements

The EAP must be documented in writing, kept within the workplace, and made accessible to all employees for review. However, if your team consists of fewer than 10 employees, OSHA allows you to communicate the plan orally.

Personnel and Roles

A critical part of your review is ensuring your plan remains valid as your team changes. In accordance with OSHA 1910.38(f)(2), you must verify that new hires or recently promoted staff understand their specific responsibilities. For example:

·       Does your new administrator or supervisor know to bring the staff roster to the designated assembly area?

·       Are designated "floor wardens" still in their current roles?

Strategic Timing for Drills

When scheduling an evacuation drill, local factors like weather and business volume should dictate your timing. On Guam, the dry season (January to June) is the ideal window to avoid the complications of a monsoon-season evacuation.

For the hotel industry, we can refine this further by looking at 2025 data. Since arrival numbers are lower in April and May (averaging 50k compared to 67k in peak months), these months offer the least disruption. To optimize your drill:

·       Days: Tuesday through Thursday (avoiding the high-volume weekend stays).

·       Time: 1:15 PM to 2:15 PM (after the 12:00 PM checkout peak and the primary lunch rush, but before the 3:00 PM check-in surge).

Coordination and Training

A successful drill requires collaboration across multiple departments:

·       External Responders: Invite the Fire Department. This familiarizes them with your layout, hydrant locations, and key personnel.

·       Sales & Marketing: Consult them to ensure drills don't conflict with VIP arrivals or large group events.

·       Maintenance: Use this time to have your fire alarm contractor verify that all safety equipment is fully operational.

Expanding Your Scope

Finally, use this review to address "all-hazard" planning. Beyond fire safety, consider your response to bomb threats or inclement weather. For instance, in a bomb threat scenario, our current recommendation is for staff to evacuate and monitor company chats hourly for updates, as these incidents typically take 1–2 hours to clear.

Start 2026 with a commitment to safety. A well-reviewed plan is the best way to ensure everyone returns home safely.

Happy 2026!