1910.38(c)(2): Evacuation Procedures in the Emergency Action Plan
An emergency action plan must include procedures for emergency evacuation, including the type of evacuation and exit route assignments.
Key takeaways
- 1910.38(c)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 45 times in the last 3 years, in 45 inspections, with $100,770 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: VA (7), CA (5), HI (5).
- Related part: 1910.38(c) Minimum elements of an emergency action plan (113 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.38(c)(2) is one requirement inside 1910.38 Emergency action plans, 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
(2) Procedures for emergency evacuation, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments; 45 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.38.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.38(c)(2).
At approximately 3:00 p.m. on November 12, 2024, a process cooker at a facility overpressurized and exploded. The explosion resulted in twelve employees being hospitalized, including one employee who later died from injuries sustained during the incident. At approximately 1:00 a.m. on November 13, 2024,…
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 | 1 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 14 |
Top states: VA (7), CA (5), HI (5), IA (5), AK (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DAVIS INDUSTRIES, INC. | LORTON, VA | $16,285 |
| ELLWOOD ENGINEERED CASTINGS COMPANY | HUBBARD, OH | $16,131 |
| ARDENT MILLS, LLC | EASTON, PA | $15,000 |
| GEODIS | BREINIGSVILLE, PA | $10,775 |
| LIGNETICS INC | KENBRIDGE, VA | $9,960 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.38(c)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.38(c)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.38(c) Minimum elements of an emergency action plan 113 citations
- 1910.38(c)(6) 17 citations
- 1910.38(c)(1) 15 citations
- 1910.38(c)(4) 14 citations
- 1910.38(c)(3) 13 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What evacuation details must the plan include?
Procedures for emergency evacuation, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments.
What are exit route assignments?
They tell employees which exit route to use during an evacuation.
Where is this requirement?
In 1910.38(c)(2), part of the minimum elements of an emergency action plan.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.38 (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 2026-10-21
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.