1910.37(a)(1): No Flammable Decorations in Exit Routes
Employers must keep exit routes free of explosive or highly flammable furnishings or other decorations.
Key takeaways
- 1910.37(a)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 16 times in the last 3 years, in 16 inspections, with $57,267 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IA (4), VA (3), TN (2).
- Related part: 1910.37(a) The danger to employees must be minimized (1,704 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.37(a)(1) is one requirement inside 1910.37 Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features 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) Exit routes must be kept free of explosive or highly flammable furnishings or other decorations. 16 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.37.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Top states: IA (4), VA (3), TN (2), AK (1), MA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| IRONWORKS WELDING INC. | DICKINSON, ND | $9,268 |
| NIDRA LLC | CHESAPEAKE, VA | $8,260 |
| GRIP-TITE MANUFACTURING | WINTERSET, IA | $7,500 |
| MAXWELL CONSTRUCTION, INC. | IOWA CITY, IA | $7,187 |
| AGCERTAIN INDUSTRIES, INC. | BOONE, IA | $4,688 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.37(a)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.37(a)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.37(a) The danger to employees must be minimized 1,704 citations
- 1910.37(a)(3) 1,294 citations
- 1910.37(a)(4) 336 citations
- 1910.37(a)(2) 56 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Can decorations be placed in an exit route?
Not if they are explosive or highly flammable.
Does this include furniture?
Yes. Explosive or highly flammable furnishings are not allowed in exit routes.
Why does this matter?
Flammable items in an exit route could block or endanger escape in a fire.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.37 (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 2026-10-20
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.