| 1910.165(b)(3) The employee alarm shall be distinctive and recognizable as a signal to evacuate the work area or to perform actions designated under the emergency action plan. |
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After an employee becomes aware of an emergency situation, the next step involves actions to be performed by that employee. Generally, the actions include evacuation or emergency response to mitigate an emergency situation. The alarm need not announce by voice the actions to be taken by employees. However, under the requirement of this standard, when employees become aware of an emergency condition, they shall follow and perform the actions for which they have been trained under their emergency action plan. For instance, some employees under their emergency actions plan may evacuate the plant in a safe manner, and some may be required to participate in actions responding to emergency. Source: OSHA LOI |
This emergency announcement made after an event in the Washington DC Subway Station is why OSHA requires EMERGENCY ALARMS, which are “distinctive and recognizable as a signal to evacuate the work area.”
Relying on a well-intentioned but stressed employee to make a CALM and CLEAR announcement at the time of the event may be asking TOO MUCH of them.
At least PRE-RECORD your emergency messages if you choose this route against my advice.