Exits

All buildings that are designed for human occupancy must have a way of allowing occupants fast exit to the outside or a safe place of refuge in case of an emergency. These exit routes can be hallways, corridors, balconies, ramps, stairs, or lobbies. The designated paths of exit must be arranged and maintained to provide a free and unobstructed means to exit all parts of the building at all times. Employers must also ensure that these paths are accessible to occupants who have impaired mobility. This training topic deals with a subject that has been familiar to all of us since our early childhood days. In school, or elsewhere, a sight so familiar that we hardly take note of it, is represented by the "Exit" sign. We see them in stores, factories, theaters, office buildings, hotels, apartment buildings, practically everywhere. Yet we rarely notice them until we look for them. Compliance with OSHA's exit routes requirements ensures that when people need to have a safe and efficient means of leaving a building in an emergency, the exit route will be there and they will have minimal problems finding and using it.

Revised rules

OSHA has revised the regulations found in 29 CFR 1910 Subpart E—Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, and Fire Prevention Plans (effective December 9, 2002). The revision does not change regulatory requirements but rewrites the requirements in plain English so they will be more understandable.