Subpart E
Every employer is covered by the exit routes and emergency plans requirements; these rules apply to workplaces that fall under 29 CFR part 1910. See Coverage and definitions in 1910.34 and the general scope at 1910.
Exit routes must provide a continuous and unobstructed path of travel to a safe area and meet the specific design and construction rules in the standard. Employers must ensure exit routes are properly located, sized, and constructed so employees can leave the workplace safely; see Design and construction requirements for exit routes in 1910.36 and the general 1910 coverage.
You must provide an adequate number of exit routes based on the workplace layout and the number of employees so that workers can evacuate safely. The standard requires enough exits to avoid bottlenecks and to provide alternate paths if one route is blocked — see Number of exit routes must be adequate in 1910.36(b) for the criteria to determine adequacy.
No — an exit door must be unlocked when the building is occupied so employees can exit without delay. Employers must follow the rule that exit doors remain unlocked during occupancy; see the unlocked-exit-door requirement in 1910.36(d).
No — a side-hinged exit door must be used for exit doors unless the standard allows a specific exception; employers should provide side-hinged doors where required by 1910.36(e).
Exit route capacity must be sufficient to handle the number of employees who will use it so that everyone can evacuate safely and without congestion; employers must size exits and pathways to the required capacity in 1910.36(f).
Exit routes must meet the minimum height and width requirements specified in the exit-route design rules so people can pass safely; see the dimensional requirements in 1910.36(g) for the applicable standards for heights and widths.
Yes — an outdoor exit route is permitted if it meets the design and construction requirements of the exit-route standard and provides a safe means to a public way or safe area; see Outdoor exit route provision in 1910.36(h).
No — employers must minimize hazards and keep exit routes clear of storage, equipment, or other obstructions so employees can evacuate safely. Exit routes must be maintained free from impediments as required by 1910.37(a).
Exit routes must have adequate and appropriate lighting and marking so employees can find and use exits during an emergency; employers must provide and maintain this lighting and marking per 1910.37(b).
Yes — if paints or surface solutions are used for their fire-retardant properties on exit-route components, those properties must be maintained so the materials continue to perform as intended; see fire retardant maintenance in 1910.37(c).
Exit routes must be maintained and kept usable during construction, repairs, or alterations so employees still have safe paths for escape; employers must follow the continuity and maintenance rules in 1910.37(d).
Employee alarm systems used to signal emergencies must be operable and effective at notifying employees so they can take action; ensure alarms are maintained, tested, and meet the system requirements in 1910.37(e).
An Emergency Action Plan must include clear procedures for reporting emergencies, evacuation procedures and routes, procedures for accounting for employees after evacuation, rescue and medical duties for trained staff, designated persons to contact, and any special procedures for employees who must remain to operate critical systems. Employers should assemble these minimum elements as required by Minimum elements of an emergency action plan in 1910.38(c) and review general application at 1910.38(a)-(b).
The standard requires employers to have either a written or an oral Emergency Action Plan as appropriate for the workplace; employers should determine whether a written plan is needed based on their size and complexity and provide oral instructions where a written plan is not required, following Written and oral emergency action plans in 1910.38(b).
Employees must be trained on the emergency procedures that affect their duties — this includes alarm recognition, evacuation routes, individual responsibilities, and how to report emergencies; employers must provide initial and periodic training as required by Training under 1910.38(e).
Employers must review the Emergency Action Plan periodically and whenever there are changes in the workplace that could affect the plan so it remains effective; see the review requirement at 1910.38(f).
A Fire Prevention Plan is required where the standard applies and must identify fire hazards, procedures to control and handle combustible materials, maintenance of equipment to prevent ignition, and employee information about fire hazards and safe practices; employers should prepare the plan following Fire prevention plan requirements in 1910.39(c) and the application rules in 1910.39(a)-(b).
Employers must inform employees about the fire hazards they may face, proper handling of hazardous materials and equipment, and the plan’s procedures for preventing and responding to fires; see the employee information requirements at 1910.39(d).
Employers may comply with alternate exit-route codes when those codes provide an equivalent or greater level of protection and the employer documents how the alternate code meets or exceeds OSHA requirements; see Compliance with Alternate Exit Route Codes in 1910.35 and the overall exit-route rules in 1910.36.
No — handrails are not considered obstructions or vertical barriers when measuring required stair width; measure stair width between vertical barriers (such as walls or guardrails) rather than between handrails, consistent with stairway guidance and the discussion in [1910.36] (exit-route rules) and stair width measurement guidance that interprets related stair standards such as 1910.25.
Employers must maintain exit signs and emergency lighting so they are illuminated and visible during normal and emergency conditions, test and repair systems as needed, and ensure markings remain legible and unobstructed in accordance with 1910.37(b).
Employee alarm systems must be appropriate for the workplace so that all employees can be warned — alarms should be audible, visual, or both as needed to ensure they are perceived above ambient conditions and are effective; see Employee alarm system requirements in 1910.37(e).
If an exit route must be taken out of service for repairs or construction, the employer must provide and clearly mark an alternate unobstructed exit route and communicate the change to employees so safe evacuation remains possible, as required by 1910.37(d) and the exit-route continuity rules in 1910.36.
Exit routes may include stairs or level changes, but employers must design and maintain them to provide a continuous, usable path and meet the dimensional and construction requirements in 1910.36 and maintain safe stair conditions per related standards such as 1910.25 and guidance on stair measurement in the stair width interpretation.
An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) lays out how employees should respond during an emergency (evacuation procedures, alarms, assigned responsibilities), while a Fire Prevention Plan identifies and controls fire hazards and safe handling and storage practices; employers must prepare each plan according to their separate minimum elements in 1910.38 and 1910.39.