1910.36(g)(4): Objects Must Not Narrow Exit Routes
Objects that project into an exit route must not reduce its width below the minimum width requirements for exit routes.
Key takeaways
- 1910.36(g)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 40 times in the last 3 years, in 40 inspections, with $124,946 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NY (5), VA (5), NC (4).
- Related part: 1910.36(g) An exit route must meet minimum height and width requirements (408 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.36(g)(4) is one requirement inside 1910.36 Design and construction requirements 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
(4) Objects that project into the exit route must not reduce the width of the exit route to less than the minimum width requirements for exit routes. 40 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 | 2 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Top states: NY (5), VA (5), NC (4), CT (3), AR (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WALMART INC. | RENO, NV | $57,620 |
| ULTA SALON, COSMETICS & FRAGRANCE, INC. | FORT SMITH, AR | $15,211 |
| TARGET STORES, INC | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $8,390 |
| AERO GLOBAL LOGISTICS LLC | WINCHESTER, VA | $7,155 |
| SANICO, INC. | SYRACUSE, NY | $6,620 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.36(g)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.36(g)(4).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.36(g) An exit route must meet minimum height and width requirements 408 citations
- 1910.36(g)(2) 359 citations
- 1910.36(g)(1) 9 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 anything stick out into an exit route?
Objects may project into it only if they do not reduce the width below the minimum width requirements for exit routes.
What is the minimum width?
This paragraph refers to the minimum width requirements for exit routes found elsewhere in 1910.36.
Who is responsible?
The employer must keep projecting objects from narrowing exit routes.
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 2026-10-21
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.