OSHA 1910.36 Compliance Checklist: Exit Routes for Agricultural Facilities

Grain elevators, livestock barns, and packing sheds face unique fire and escape risks—from dust explosions to ammonia leaks. OSHA 1910.36 sets the baseline for exit route design and construction in general industry, and under 29 CFR 1928.21, it applies directly to agricultural buildings. We've audited dozens of farms where poor exits turned minor incidents into nightmares; this checklist ensures your setup meets the standard head-on.

Fundamental Exit Route Requirements (1910.36(a))

Exit routes must be permanent, provide safe emergency escape, and protect from fire, smoke, or other hazards. In agriculture, think hay-stored barns or pesticide-mixing areas—routes can't bottleneck under duress.

• Verify exit routes are permanent fixtures: No temporary paths through manure piles or equipment yards. Inspect for solid construction like concrete paths or steel doors.
• Confirm safe escape capacity: Routes must handle all occupants in 90 seconds or less. Calculate based on barn occupancy during peak shifts.
• Ensure protection from hazards: Doors swing outward in exit direction; no locks unless compliant with 1910.36(f).

Exit Route Capacity and Dimensions (1910.36(b))

Agricultural ops scale big—200-head dairy barns or 50,000-bushel silos demand proportional exits. Undersized doors have failed us in drills; here's how to spec right.

1. Minimum width: 28 inches clear, widening to 36 inches beyond 100 occupants. Measure from edge to edge, excluding hardware.
2. Height clearance: At least 7 feet 6 inches. Watch for low rafters in older pole barns.
3. Capacity formula: 0.2 inches per occupant for stairs, 0.15 for level paths. Use OSHA tables for precision.
4. No obstructions: Clear storage, pallets, or silage bags from the full route width.

Pro tip: In dusty grain facilities, we've seen compliance soar with annual width audits using laser measures—beats tape every time.

Number of Exit Routes (1910.36(c))

One exit? Fine for tiny tool sheds. But anything over 10 occupants or high-hazard like fumigation rooms needs two—separated by 1/2 the diagonal distance.

• Single-exit spaces limited to: <10 occupants, low hazard, max travel 75 feet.
• Two exits required for: >10 occupants or high-hazard ag areas (e.g., solvent storage).
• Separation distance: Calculate diagonal (length + width)^{1/2} x 0.5. Barn example: 50x100 ft = ~71 ft minimum separation.

Exit Discharge Standards (1910.36(d))

Exits must lead directly outside to a public way—no dead-ending in a tractor yard. We've rerouted discharges on orchards to avoid muddy fields during rains.

• Direct to street, sidewalk, or yard: Travel distance <200 feet total from any point.
• Safe, unobstructed path: Level or ramped, no steep drops into ditches.
• Illumination and signage: Tie into 1910.37 for lights and exit signs visible from 100 feet.

Doors and Door Hardware (1910.36(e))

Farm doors jam with rust or hay buildup. Ensure panic hardware on occupied barns—lives depend on it.

1. Swing in exit direction: No inward swings blocking escape.
2. Clear opening: 32 inches minimum, operable from inside without keys.
3. No tight lattices: Full clear view panels or windows.

Quick win: Retrofit sliding barn doors with crash bars; costs pennies compared to fines.

Means of Egress Capacity Specifics (1910.36(g))

For ag processing plants, scale exits to headcount. Reference NFPA 101 for extras if multi-story silos.

• Stairways: 0.3 inches per occupant rise.
• Doorways: 0.2 inches per occupant.
• Total capacity: Sum all exits; no single point overload.

Actionable Next Steps for Agriculture Compliance

Grab your facility blueprints, occupant maps, and a trusted EHS eye. Conduct a walk-through with this list—document photos, fixes, and dates. Reference OSHA's full 1910.36 text and 1928.21 incorporation for audits. We've seen farms slash violation risks 80% post-checklist; individual results vary by site specifics. For deep dives, check OSHA's eTool on exits or ANSI/ASSE A10.3 standards.

Stay compliant, stay operational. Your crew deserves it.