1910.37(a)(2): Exit Routes Away From High Hazard Areas
Exit routes must be arranged so employees do not have to travel toward a high hazard area, unless the path is effectively shielded from that area by suitable partitions or other physical barriers.
Key takeaways
- 1910.37(a)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 56 times in the last 3 years, in 56 inspections, with $166,045 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: PA (11), TN (10), VA (7).
- 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)(2) 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
(2) Exit routes must be arranged so that employees will not have to travel toward a high hazard area, unless the path of travel is effectively shielded from the high hazard area by suitable partitions or other physical barriers. 56 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.37.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.37(a)(2).
At 2:53 p.m. on June 9, 2024, an employee working as a housekeeper for a hotel was leaving the building through a hotel stairwell exit door to take a smoke break. The employee fell into open pit falling to the hotel basement approximately 15 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 | 2 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Top states: PA (11), TN (10), VA (7), MA (5), NC (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| HANOVER FOODS CORPORATION | CENTRE HALL, PA | $40,000 |
| AIR LIQUIDE ADVANCED MATERIALS, INC | BRANCHBURG, NJ | $16,131 |
| CRITICAL MINERAL RECOVERY? | FREDERICKTOWN, MO | $9,268 |
| COCA-COLA CONSOLIDATED INC | NORFOLK, VA | $8,390 |
| CARTER LUMBER COMPANY | HANOVER, PA | $8,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.37(a)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.37(a)(2).
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)(1) 16 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 an exit route lead toward a high hazard area?
Not unless the path of travel is effectively shielded by suitable partitions or other physical barriers.
What is the purpose of this rule?
So employees escaping do not have to travel toward a high hazard area.
What counts as shielding?
Suitable partitions or other physical barriers.
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.