1910.36(b): Enough Exit Routes for Safe Evacuation
Employers must have at least two exit routes, placed as far apart as practical, so employees can evacuate promptly if one is blocked by fire or smoke. More than two are required if the number of employees, building size, occupancy or layout would keep everyone from evacuating safely, and a single exit route is allowed only where everyone could still evacuate safely.
Key takeaways
- 1910.36(b) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 26 times in the last 3 years, in 26 inspections, with $93,098 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: CT (3), PA (3), OH (3).
- Related part: 1910.36(b)(1) Two exit routes (24 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.36(b) ("The number of exit routes must be adequate") is one requirement inside 1910.36 Design and construction requirements for exit routes, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart E). It includes 3 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(b) The number of exit routes must be adequate — 26 citations
(1) Two exit routes. At least two exit routes must be available in a workplace to permit prompt evacuation of employees and other building occupants during an emergency, except as allowed in paragraph (b)(3) of this section. The exit routes must be located as far away as practical from each other so that if one exit route is blocked by fire or smoke, employees can evacuate using the second exit route. Open (b)(1) 24 citations
(2) More than two exit routes. More than two exit routes must be available in a workplace if the number of employees, the size of the building, its occupancy, or the arrangement of the workplace is such that all employees would not be able to evacuate safely during an emergency. 2 citations
(3) A single exit route. A single exit route is permitted where the number of employees, the size of the building, its occupancy, or the arrangement of the workplace is such that all employees would be able to evacuate safely during an emergency.
For assistance in determining the number of exit routes necessary for your workplace, consult NFPA 101-2009, Life Safety Code, or IFC-2009, International Fire Code (incorporated by reference, see § 1910.6).
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.36.
Export the list: 26 inspections cited 1910.36(b) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.36(b).
At 12:00 p.m. on May 1, 2024, an explosion occurred at a production line, where multiple employees were working. Four employees were hospitalized to treat burnsand toxic gas inhalation, while six others were treated on-site without hospitalization for similar injuries.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: CT (3), PA (3), OH (3), RI (3), NJ (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DEE PACKAGING SOLUTIONS, INC. | WILMINGTON, DE | $11,292 |
| SUPERIOR SIGNAL COMPANY, LLC | OLD BRIDGE, NJ | $8,401 |
| SUMMIT MEDICAL COMPASSION CENTER, INC. | WARWICK, RI | $8,110 |
| BRIDON-BEKAERT THE ROPES GROUP | HANOVER TOWNSHIP, PA | $8,000 |
| AMENTUM SERVICES, INC. | OAK HARBOR, WA | $7,835 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.36(b), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.36(b).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.36(b)(1) Two exit routes 24 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How many exit routes must a workplace have?
At least two, except where a single exit route is permitted.
Where should the two exit routes be?
As far away as practical from each other, so if one is blocked by fire or smoke, the other can be used.
When is one exit route enough?
When the number of employees, building size, occupancy or arrangement is such that all employees could evacuate safely.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.36 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-11-06
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.