1910.37(b)(1): Lighting on Exit Routes
Each exit route must be adequately lighted so that an employee with normal vision can see along the exit route.
Key takeaways
- 1910.37(b)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 167 times in the last 3 years, in 167 inspections, with $66,771 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (59), IL (36), CT (14).
- Related part: 1910.37(b) Lighting and marking must be adequate and appropriate (2,115 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.37(b)(1) 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
(1) Each exit route must be adequately lighted so that an employee with normal vision can see along the exit route. 167 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.37.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 84 |
| 2025 | 45 |
| 2026 | 24 |
Top states: TN (59), IL (36), CT (14), NY (11), AK (7)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DOLGENCORP, LLC A/K/A DOLGEN, LLC D/B/A DOLLAR GENERAL STORE # 20598 | LYNCHBURG, VA | $6,805 |
| ARTCO-BELL CORPORATION | TEMPLE, TX | $6,222 |
| MORRIS HILLS REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | ROCKAWAY BOROUGH, NJ | $6,000 |
| KENNETH G LILLY FASTENERS, LLC. | NEWARK, DE | $5,647 |
| KEYPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT | KEYPORT, NJ | $5,400 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.37(b)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.37(b)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.37(b) Lighting and marking must be adequate and appropriate 2,115 citations
- 1910.37(b)(2) 995 citations
- 1910.37(b)(6) 368 citations
- 1910.37(b)(5) 336 citations
- 1910.37(b)(4) 211 citations
- 1910.37(b)(7) 28 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
How bright must exit routes be?
Adequately lighted so an employee with normal vision can see along the exit route.
Does this apply to every exit route?
Yes. Each exit route must be adequately lighted.
What should I do about a burned-out light on an exit route?
Report it so the route stays lighted.
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.