Laboratories seeking accreditation in the AANEM's EDX Laboratory Accreditation Program will be required to have an emergency action and evacuation policy. At a minimum, the policy must include:
- Means of reporting fires and other emergencies
- Evacuation procedures and emergency escape route assignments
- Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical laboratory operations before they evacuate, if applicable
- Procedures to account for all employees and patients after an emergency evacuation has been completed
- Rescue and medical duties for those employees who are to perform them
- Names or job titles of persons who can be contacted for further information or explanation of duties under the plan
OSHA resources available
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has developed an online Emergency Action Plan Expert System that helps users draft a simple Emergency Action Plan.
Submitting a plan created under OSHA's online system will satisfy the AANEM's emergency action and evacuation plan requirement. However, the AANEM does not warrant that any emergency action and evacuation plan created by using OSHA's Emergency Action Plan Expert System will be suitable for a laboratory's particular purposes or comply with any local, state, and/or federal law. All laboratories should consider the special characteristics of their workplaces and create a plan to address any situations that require special attention.
If you have questions, contact the AANEM at 507.288.0100 or accreditation@aanem.org.