1910.37(b): Exit route lighting and exit signs
Every exit route must be lit well enough for a person with normal vision to see along it. Each exit must be clearly visible and marked with an "Exit" sign, and exit doors must be free of decorations or signs that hide them. Where the way out is not obvious, signs must point to the nearest exit, and doors or passages that could be mistaken for an exit must be marked "Not an Exit" or with their actual use. Exit signs must be lit to at least five foot-candles (or be self-luminous at the stated level), be distinctive in color, and have the word Exit in letters at least 6 inches high.
Key takeaways
- 1910.37(b) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 2,115 times in the last 3 years, in 1,801 inspections, with $1,764,463 in current penalties.
- 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TN (194), VA (193), NY (156).
- Related part: 1910.37(b)(2) (995 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.37(b) ("Lighting and marking must be adequate and appropriate") is one requirement inside 1910.37 Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart E). It includes 7 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) Lighting and marking must be adequate and appropriate. 2,115 citations
(1) Each exit route must be adequately lighted so that an employee with normal vision can see along the exit route. Open (b)(1) 167 citations
(2) Each exit must be clearly visible and marked by a sign reading “Exit.” Open (b)(2) 995 citations
(3) Each exit route door must be free of decorations or signs that obscure the visibility of the exit route door. 6 citations
(4) If the direction of travel to the exit or exit discharge is not immediately apparent, signs must be posted along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit and exit discharge. Additionally, the line-of-sight to an exit sign must clearly be visible at all times. Open (b)(4) 211 citations
(5) Each doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit must be marked “Not an Exit” or similar designation, or be identified by a sign indicating its actual use (e.g., closet). Open (b)(5) 336 citations
(6) Each exit sign must be illuminated to a surface value of at least five foot-candles (54 lux) by a reliable light source and be distinctive in color. Self-luminous or electroluminescent signs that have a minimum luminance surface value of at least .06 footlamberts (0.21 cd/m2) are permitted. Open (b)(6) 368 citations
(7) Each exit sign must have the word “Exit” in plainly legible letters not less than six inches (15.2 cm) high, with the principal strokes of the letters in the word “Exit” not less than three-fourths of an inch (1.9 cm) wide. Open (b)(7) 28 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.37.
Injuries linked to this rule
4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.37(b).
At 2:45 p.m. on May 31, 2024, Employee #1 was performing welding work on a diesel fuel tank. During the welding process, an explosion occurred, resulting in the employee's fatal injuries. The explosion was caused by overpressure inside the tank, which caused metal parts to…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 153 |
| 2024 | 798 |
| 2025 | 700 |
| 2026 | 464 |
Top states: TN (194), VA (193), NY (156), IL (150), NJ (119)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| TARGET CORPORATION | EAST HANOVER, NJ | $47,285 |
| GABRIEL CARE, INC. | FALL RIVER, MA | $33,100 |
| ANGEL OF THE WINDS CASINO RESORT | ARLINGTON, WA | $17,519 |
| UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE | NEW CASTLE, DE | $16,550 |
| JINDAL TUBULAR USA LLC | BAY SAINT LOUIS, MS | $16,131 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.37(b), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Exit Signs (2022-05-25)
- OSHA's exit sign requirements for disabled persons. (2002-04-05)
- The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids in Clairol's Stamford warehouse. (1986-09-19)
- OSHA requirements for exit sign lettering. (1986-07-18)
- Interpretation on standards for use of cranes during high wind conditions. (1985-03-26)
- Color of exit signs. (1972-09-14)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.37(b)(2) 995 citations
- 1910.37(b)(6) 368 citations
- 1910.37(b)(5) 336 citations
- 1910.37(b)(4) 211 citations
- 1910.37(b)(1) 167 citations
- 1910.37(b)(7) 28 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How big must the letters on an exit sign be?
The word Exit must be in plainly legible letters at least 6 inches high, with principal strokes at least 3/4 inch wide.
Do we need Not an Exit signs?
Yes, on any doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit, unless it is identified by a sign showing its actual use, such as closet.
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.