1910.37(e): Working Employee Alarm System
Employers must install and maintain an operable employee alarm system with a distinctive signal to warn employees of fire or other emergencies, unless employees can promptly see or smell a fire or other hazard in time to be adequately warned. The alarm system must comply with 1910.165.
Key takeaways
- 1910.37(e) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 17 times in the last 3 years, in 17 inspections, with $49,014 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: PA (5), VA (5), NY (3).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.37(e) ("An employee alarm system must be operable") 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
(e) An employee alarm system must be operable. Employers must install and maintain an operable employee alarm system that has a distinctive signal to warn employees of fire or other emergencies, unless employees can promptly see or smell a fire or other hazard in time to provide adequate warning to them. The employee alarm system must comply with § 1910.165. 17 citations
[67 FR 67961, Nov. 7, 2002]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.37.
Export the list: 17 inspections cited 1910.37(e) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.37(e).
At 4:44 p.m. on July 14, 2024, an employee was in the bathroom of a building. Afire broke out in the building, and the employee could not be rescued from the bathroom in time. The employee was killed in the fire.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: PA (5), VA (5), NY (3), TN (1), FL (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DOVER MEXICAN MARKET INC | DOVER, FL | $16,131 |
| THE MENNEL MILLING COMPANY OF VIRGINIA | ROANOKE, VA | $7,042 |
| AGRI-NUTRIENTS COMPANY, INC | DISPUTANTA, VA | $6,885 |
| LA QUESERA MEXICANA, L.L.C. | GREENEVILLE, TN | $4,000 |
| CALIFORNIA HOTWOOD, INC. | KALISPELL, MT | $3,973 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.37(e), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.37(e).
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Frequently asked questions
Is an employee alarm system always required?
Yes, unless employees can promptly see or smell a fire or other hazard in time to provide adequate warning to them.
What must the alarm signal be like?
It must be distinctive and warn employees of fire or other emergencies.
Which rule does the alarm system follow?
1910.165.
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 2026-11-06
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.