1910.36(e): Side-Hinged Exit Doors
A side-hinged door must be used to connect any room to an exit route. The door must swing out in the direction of exit travel if the room is designed for more than 50 people or is a high hazard area.
Key takeaways
- 1910.36(e) 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 44 inspections, with $82,918 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NY (5), MA (5), MN (4).
- Related part: 1910.36(e)(1) (25 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.36(e) ("A side-hinged exit door must be used") is one requirement inside 1910.36 Design and construction requirements for exit routes, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart E). It includes 2 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
(e) A side-hinged exit door must be used. 45 citations
(1) A side-hinged door must be used to connect any room to an exit route. Open (e)(1) 25 citations
(2) The door that connects any room to an exit route must swing out in the direction of exit travel if the room is designed to be occupied by more than 50 people or if the room is a high hazard area (i.e., contains contents that are likely to burn with extreme rapidity or explode). Open (e)(2) 20 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.36.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: NY (5), MA (5), MN (4), VA (3), PA (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PARADISE CASINO | YUMA, AZ | $8,441 |
| PHOENIX LOGISTICS & COLD STORAGE, LLC | WINTER HAVEN, FL | $7,535 |
| THE MBP COMPANY, LLC | DURAND, WI | $6,951 |
| WELSPUN TUBULAR LLC | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $5,525 |
| MINI MELTS USA, INC. | NORWICH, CT | $4,687 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.36(e), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.36(e).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.36(e)(1) 25 citations
- 1910.36(e)(2) 20 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
What kind of door must connect a room to an exit route?
A side-hinged door.
When must the door swing outward?
When the room is designed to be occupied by more than 50 people or is a high hazard area.
What is a high hazard area?
One with contents likely to burn with extreme rapidity or explode.
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 2026-10-20
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.