Top Social Media Myths About OSHA 1910.36 Exit Route Requirements

Scroll through LinkedIn or safety groups on Facebook, and you'll spot them: quick-hit posts claiming OSHA 1910.36 demands perfectly straight exit routes or mandates 36-inch widths everywhere. I've debunked dozens of these in client audits after teams chased viral advice, only to face citations. Let's cut through the noise with facts straight from the standard.

Myth 1: Exit Routes Must Be Straight Lines with No Turns

Social media loves dramatic visuals of winding hallways labeled "OSHA violation." Reality? 1910.36(b)(1) requires exit routes to be "free and unobstructed," but they can include turns—as long as they're direct and permanent. I've walked facilities where a single 90-degree corner saved space without tripping compliance alarms.

The key is permanence: no temporary barriers or clutter. Posts ignoring this lead managers to rip out efficient layouts, wasting thousands. Check OSHA's own interpretation letters for clarity—routes serving 10+ occupants can't zigzag excessively, but straight isn't the rule.

Myth 2: Every Exit Door Needs 36 Inches of Clear Width

A common TikTok tip: "OSHA says 36 inches minimum—no exceptions!" Wrong. Under 1910.36(b)(2), it's 28 inches clear width for routes serving fewer than 50 people. Scale up to 100+ occupants, and it hits 36 inches; over 1,000 demands two units.

• Calculate based on occupant load from your fire marshal plan.
• Measure swinging door clearances properly—hardware doesn't count.
• Pro tip: I've measured post-renovation doors at 27 inches, sparking avoidable rework.

This myth proliferates because folks mix it with ADA or IBC codes. Always cross-reference 1910.147 for LOTO ties if energized equipment blocks paths.

Myth 3: Headroom Can Dip to 6'6" in All Cases

Memes mock low ceilings as instant fines. OSHA 1910.36(b)(3) sets 7 feet 6 inches minimum headroom over the entire route—no projections allowed below that. Exceptions? Doors can swing into 6'8" spaces briefly.

In one plant I consulted, a viral post convinced them to duck under pipes labeled "compliant at 6'5"." Spoiler: It wasn't. Permanent fixtures demand full clearance; temporary ones get removed. Research NFPA 101 for aligned insights, but OSHA governs general industry.

Myth 4: Swing Direction is Always Toward the Exit

"Doors must swing out—period," screams a Reddit thread. True for high-occupancy exits per 1910.36(e)(2), but only if serving 50+ people. Smaller routes? Inward swings are fine if unobstructed.

We audited a warehouse chasing this: unnecessary hinge flips cost $15K. Balance with life-safety codes—egress force maxes at 30 lbs latch, 15 lbs closer.

Myth 5: Signage and Lighting Are Optional Nice-to-Haves

Social clips show dimly lit signs as "fine." Nope—1910.36(b)(5-7) mandates permanent, visible exit signs and adequate lighting (1 foot-candle min). Panic hardware required on certain doors.

I've seen Instagram "safety hacks" skip illumination standards, leading to night-shift hazards. Test quarterly; integrate with your JHA tracking.

Why Social Media Traps Hit Hard—and How to Verify

These myths spread fast because they're simplified for likes, ignoring occupancy calcs or facility specifics. Citations under 1910.36 average $14K per instance, per OSHA data. We verify via site walks, pulling the full standard from osha.gov (search 1910.36).

Pro advice: Bookmark OSHA's eTool on exits, join verified forums like ASSP, and audit annually. Individual setups vary—consult your local OSHA office for interpretations. Stay sharp; real safety beats retweets.