The purpose of an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is to facilitate and organize employer and employee actions, including evacuations, during a workplace emergency.

An employer (i.e., property owner or occupier) must have an EAP for its facilities whenever a specific OSHA standard requires one. For example, an EAP is required at any facility where employees are required to evacuate when a fire alarm is sounded. Employers at facilities with fixed extinguishing systems and fire detection systems must also develop an EAP. OSHA strongly recommends that all businesses have an EAP.