1910.37(b)(4): Exit Direction Signs
Employers must post signs along the exit access showing the direction to the nearest exit and exit discharge whenever that direction is not immediately apparent. The line of sight to an exit sign must be clearly visible at all times.
Key takeaways
- 1910.37(b)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 211 times in the last 3 years, in 211 inspections, with $350,767 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: VA (23), NJ (19), NY (18).
- 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)(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) If the direction of travel to the exit or exit discharge is not immediately apparent, signs must be posted along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit and exit discharge. Additionally, the line-of-sight to an exit sign must clearly be visible at all times. 211 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)(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 | 21 |
| 2024 | 82 |
| 2025 | 65 |
| 2026 | 43 |
Top states: VA (23), NJ (19), NY (18), CT (15), FL (14)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| TARGET CORPORATION | EAST HANOVER, NJ | $47,285 |
| THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY | DANVILLE, VA | $15,875 |
| ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, INC. | DANVILLE, VA | $9,390 |
| LIEBHERR AMERICA | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $8,910 |
| THE BANK OF MARION | MARION, VA | $8,720 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.37(b)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
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)(1) 167 citations
- 1910.37(b)(7) 28 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
When are exit direction signs required?
When the direction of travel to the exit or exit discharge is not immediately apparent.
Where must the direction signs be posted?
Along the exit access, pointing to the nearest exit and exit discharge.
Can exit signs be blocked by stored materials?
No. The line-of-sight to an exit sign must be clearly visible 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.