Home / Workers / Emergency Action Plans for Employers

Emergency Action Plans for Employers

When something goes wrong on a farm, minutes matter and addresses are hard to explain. A written plan helps everyone act the same way under stress.

What is an emergency action plan?

An emergency action plan is a short written document that says what workers should do when a serious event happens, such as an injury, a fire, severe weather or a chemical release. It covers who calls for help, how to give directions and where to meet.

It is not a rescue manual. In any emergency, call 911 first. Plans for specific hazards should come from OSHA, extension and recognized training providers, not from improvised ideas.

Think of the plan as a one-page script. It should be short enough that a new worker can read it in a few minutes and clear enough that a neighbor could follow it if they arrived first at the scene.

Do you need one and what must it contain?

Whether a written plan is required depends on your operation, your number of employees, the hazards present and your state. Check with OSHA and your state workplace safety agency to find out what applies to you.

Even where it is not required, a plan is good practice. Official sources describe what a plan typically includes, so use them as your outline rather than guessing.

• Who calls 911 and what they say
• Exact farm address and field names
• Where people gather after an evacuation
• Who accounts for everyone
• Contact numbers for the owner and key people

How do you make directions easy for responders?

Many farm fields have no street number. Give each field, barn and shop a simple name, and post a map at the office, the shop and the house showing entrances, gates and landmarks.

Tell workers the plain address of the farmstead and the nearest crossroad to each field. Ask your local emergency services whether they want additional information such as gate codes or a pre-planning visit.

Post the farm address by every phone and radio. Write it in large letters, since people forget simple facts when they are frightened and may be giving directions while distressed.

How do workers raise the alarm?

Decide how people will call for help in each work area. Mobile coverage is poor on many farms, so think about radios, landlines, spotters and check-in times.

Make sure that someone is always aware where a lone worker is. A person working alone is the person most at risk of not being found quickly.

Plan for severe weather too. The National Weather Service provides forecasts and alerts, and your plan should say who watches them, how crews are warned and where people shelter. Ask local emergency management for guidance.

What role does each person play?

Name a plan lead and a backup. Decide who meets responders at the gate, who stays with the injured person, who keeps others out of the area and who contacts family. Keep roles simple so they work when people are frightened.

Include seasonal workers and family. Anyone who is on the farm should know their part, including what not to do. Never ask untrained people to attempt a rescue in a dangerous place.

How do you practice the plan?

Walk through the plan at a staff meeting before the busy season. Ask what would happen if a gate was locked, if the main phone failed or if the owner was away. Fix gaps right away.

Drills do not need to be elaborate. A ten-minute talk and a walk to the meeting spot builds more confidence than a plan that sits in a drawer. Local fire departments and extension offices may help.

• Practice at least once a year
• Walk to the gathering point
• Update after any change in workers or buildings

When should you update it?

Review the plan after any real emergency or near miss, when a worker leaves or joins, when buildings change and at the start of each season. Keep copies where people can find them.

Share the plan with local responders when appropriate. Ask your local fire department, emergency management office or extension safety specialist to look it over and offer feedback.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.