1910.37(a)(4): Emergency Safeguards in Working Order
Safeguards designed to protect employees during an emergency, such as sprinkler systems, alarm systems, fire doors and exit lighting, must be in proper working order at all times.
Key takeaways
- 1910.37(a)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 336 times in the last 3 years, in 336 inspections, with $432,760 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NY (90), NV (53), NJ (52).
- 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)(4) 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
(4) Safeguards designed to protect employees during an emergency (e.g., sprinkler systems, alarm systems, fire doors, exit lighting) must be in proper working order at all times. 336 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.37.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.37(a)(4).
At 10:30 p.m. on December 30, 2023, two employees were working as stock and inventory clerks for a warehouse. The employees were loading and unloading merchandise from a Komatsu Model FG15ST-17 Forklift (Serial Number 6070210A) andstacking the boxes on the warehouse shelves. The employees were…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 19 |
| 2024 | 142 |
| 2025 | 113 |
| 2026 | 62 |
Top states: NY (90), NV (53), NJ (52), PR (22), CT (17)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PERDUE FARMS INCORPORATED | MILFORD, DE | $16,550 |
| THE GUIDA-SEIBERT DAIRY COMPANY | NEW BRITAIN, CT | $11,916 |
| FEDEX SUPPLY CHAIN | MECHANICSBURG, PA | $11,500 |
| MITRA QSR KNE, LLC | CAMDEN WYOMING, DE | $10,924 |
| ERNEST MAIER, INC. | MILLSBORO, DE | $8,840 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.37(a)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.37(a)(4).
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)(2) 56 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
What safeguards does this cover?
Safeguards designed to protect employees during an emergency, such as sprinkler systems, alarm systems, fire doors and exit lighting.
When must they work?
They must be in proper working order at all times.
Can a fire door be propped open?
The rule requires fire doors to be in proper working order at all times.
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.