Checklist for ESO Facility Preparedness

1. General Facility Safety

  • Ensure compliance with 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart E—Exit Routes and Emergency Planning.

2. PPE and Equipment Management

  • Provide facilities for decontamination, cleaning, disinfection, and storage of PPE and equipment.
  • Install commercial washing machines or extractors for on-site decontamination.
  • Provide bagging and storage for contaminated PPE if decontamination is performed off-site.

3. Fire Poles, Slides, and Chutes

  • Require responders to maintain contact with fire poles using all extremities.
  • Provide landing cushions that:
    • Are at least 30 inches in diameter.
    • Have a contrasting color to the surrounding floor.
    • Are made of impact-absorbing material.
  • Secure floor openings for fire poles, chutes, or slides according to 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D.

4. Fire Protection Systems

  • Install, test, and maintain fire detection, suppression, and alarm systems per 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart L.

5. Sleeping and Living Areas

  • Install interconnected hard-wired smoke alarms with battery backup in:
    • All sleeping areas.
    • Nearby locations immediately outside sleeping areas.
    • All facility levels, including basements.
  • Equip new ESO facilities with automatic sprinkler systems (required for new facilities two years after the final rule is published).
  • Install functioning carbon monoxide alarms in all sleeping and living areas.
  • Prevent contamination of sleeping and living areas by:
    • Using exhaust capture systems, ventilation, or positive air pressure systems.
    • Ensuring self-closing doors with weather seals are installed.
  • Prohibit wearing or storing contaminated PPE in sleeping and living areas.