1910.36(h): Outdoor Exit Routes
Employers may use outdoor exit routes if they meet indoor exit route height and width minimums, have guardrails on unenclosed sides where a fall hazard exists, and are covered where snow or ice is likely unless it will be removed before it is a slipping hazard. They must be reasonably straight with smooth, solid, substantially level walkways and have no dead-end longer than 20 feet.
Key takeaways
- 1910.36(h) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 31 times in the last 3 years, in 27 inspections, with $53,614 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NY (7), CT (6), TN (5).
- Related part: 1910.36(h)(3) (13 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.36(h) ("An outdoor exit route is permitted") is one requirement inside 1910.36 Design and construction requirements for exit routes, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart E). It includes 4 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
(h) An outdoor exit route is permitted. Each outdoor exit route must meet the minimum height and width requirements for indoor exit routes and must also meet the following requirements: 31 citations
(1) The outdoor exit route must have guardrails to protect unenclosed sides if a fall hazard exists; 5 citations
(2) The outdoor exit route must be covered if snow or ice is likely to accumulate along the route, unless the employer can demonstrate that any snow or ice accumulation will be removed before it presents a slipping hazard; Open (h)(2) 12 citations
(3) The outdoor exit route must be reasonably straight and have smooth, solid, substantially level walkways; and Open (h)(3) 13 citations
(4) The outdoor exit route must not have a dead-end that is longer than 20 feet (6.2 m). 1 citations
[67 FR 67961, Nov. 7, 2002, as amended at 76 FR 33606, June 8, 2011]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.36.
Export the list: 27 inspections cited 1910.36(h) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Top states: NY (7), CT (6), TN (5), NJ (3), HI (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| TARKETT USA INC. | MURFREESBORO, TN | $18,000 |
| FAMILY DOLLAR STORES, LLC | CHILDERSBURG, AL | $11,055 |
| WESANCO INC. | TOTOWA, NJ | $9,577 |
| UNITED WINDOW & DOOR MANUFACTURING, INC. | WAYNE, NJ | $7,376 |
| DSV SOLUTIONS LLC | MURFREESBORO, TN | $2,800 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.36(h).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.36(h)(3) 13 citations
- 1910.36(h)(2) 12 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Are outdoor exit routes allowed?
Yes, if they meet the listed requirements.
How long can a dead-end be?
No longer than 20 feet.
Must outdoor exit routes be covered?
Yes, if snow or ice is likely to accumulate, unless the employer can show it will be removed before it presents a slipping hazard.
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 2026-11-01
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.