1910.37(b)(2): Exit Signs on Every Exit
Employers must make sure each exit is clearly visible and marked by a sign reading Exit. This helps workers find the way out quickly during an emergency. A sign is needed at every exit, and the exit itself must be easy to see rather than hidden from view.
Key takeaways
- 1910.37(b)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 995 times in the last 3 years, in 995 inspections, with $707,846 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IL (93), TN (84), VA (76).
- 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)(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) Each exit must be clearly visible and marked by a sign reading “Exit.” 995 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(b)(2).
At 9:00 a.m. on January 19, 2024, two employees (Employee #1 and Employee #2) were setting up the site to create another stack of steel pipes (30 inches in diameter by 40 feet long, weighing over 2,000 pounds each.) The employees removed the chock block…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 74 |
| 2024 | 371 |
| 2025 | 319 |
| 2026 | 231 |
Top states: IL (93), TN (84), VA (76), MN (74), HI (52)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GABRIEL CARE, INC. | FALL RIVER, MA | $16,550 |
| UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE | NEW CASTLE, DE | $16,550 |
| SCHREIBER FOODS, INC. | SHIPPENSBURG, PA | $13,005 |
| ANGEL OF THE WINDS CASINO RESORT | ARLINGTON, WA | $12,294 |
| INV PERFORMANCE MATERIALS, LLC | SEAFORD, DE | $11,823 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.37(b)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.37(b)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.37(b) Lighting and marking must be adequate and appropriate 2,115 citations
- 1910.37(b)(6) 368 citations
- 1910.37(b)(5) 336 citations
- 1910.37(b)(4) 211 citations
- 1910.37(b)(1) 167 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
What must an exit sign say?
It must read Exit.
Does every exit need a sign?
Yes. Each exit must be clearly visible and marked by an Exit sign.
What if the exit is hard to see?
It must be made clearly visible, since the rule requires each exit to be visible and marked.
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.