1910.36(c)(1): Where Exits Must Lead
Each exit discharge must lead directly outside, or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way or open space with access to the outside.
Key takeaways
- 1910.36(c)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 20 times in the last 3 years, in 20 inspections, with $29,504 in current penalties.
- Most citations: VA (3), PR (3), CT (2).
- Related part: 1910.36(c) Exit discharge (25 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.36(c)(1) is one requirement inside 1910.36 Design and construction requirements for exit routes, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart E). 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
(1) Each exit discharge must lead directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside. 20 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.36.
Export the list: 20 inspections cited 1910.36(c)(1) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: VA (3), PR (3), CT (2), TN (2), NY (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| FAMILY DOLLAR STORES, INC. | YONKERS, NY | $6,696 |
| CITY OF CAPE MAY - WATER DEPARTMENT | CAPE MAY, NJ | $5,000 |
| POLYGLASS COATINGS LIMITED LLC | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $4,700 |
| CHINA DISTRICT PR, LLC | ARECIBO, PR | $3,825 |
| BORINQUEN CONTAINER CORP. | HATILLO, PR | $2,295 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.36(c)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.36(c)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.36(c) Exit discharge 25 citations
- 1910.36(c)(2) 2 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Where must an exit discharge lead?
Directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside.
Can an exit end in a closed room?
No. It must lead outside or to a place with access to the outside.
Does this apply to every exit?
Yes. The rule says each exit discharge.
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.