OSHA Clarifies Its Emergency Plan

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued its National Emergency Management Plan (NEMP), a new directive designed to clarify the agency's policies during the response to a national emergency.

"This plan ensures that OSHA is prepared to provide the necessary technical support and assistance during a national emergency, whether it originates from a natural or manmade disaster," says John Henshaw, OSHA Administrator. The NEMP is designed to outline procedures to ensure that the agency's personnel and logistical and operational assistance are in place to provide technical assistance and guidance within the emergency response structure for responder and recovery workers' health and safety.

"The safety and health of emergency response and recovery workers is a critical element of our nation's domestic preparedness and emergency response efforts," says Bob Stephan, Special Assistant to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.

The NEMP details OSHA's roles and responsibilities during responses to nationally significant incidents, and also includes the primary roles and functions that the Agency's national and regional offices will assume while planning for and responding to such an incident. Under the new plan, each region will be required to develop a Regional Emergency Management Plan (REMP).

For more information on NEMP, Click HERE>>