Emergency preparedness
Emergency preparedness questions test the plan, the practice, and the command structure. The CSMP candidate must know required plan elements and how drills expose gaps.
Core rules and concepts
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 requires an emergency action plan covering reporting procedures, evacuation or shelter-in-place, employee accounting, rescue duties, and training.
- Alarms must be perceptible throughout the workplace; off-shift, remote, and contractor populations need coverage.
- Drills should test notification, evacuation, accountability, and communications, followed by an after-action review with assigned fixes.
- For larger events, ICS/NIMS provides common terminology, span of control, and incident action planning.
- Emergency supplies, AEDs, first aid, and spill response equipment must be inspected and accessible.
Worked example
A drill shows the assembly area is 50 feet from the building and blocks the fire department access lane. The plan’s accounting procedure also fails because two contractors are not on the roster. The corrective actions are to relocate the assembly area, add a contractor check-in roster, and brief the changes. The drill is not a pass/fail event; it is evidence for plan revision and training.
Traps that cost marks
Having a written plan without training or drills. Counting employees by memory during an evacuation. Ignoring visitors and contractors. Assuming the fire department will perform rescue without confirming roles.