1926.34 Construction Exit Routes: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Buildings and structures under construction must have exits arranged and maintained so that workers can leave freely and without obstruction in an emergency. Where exits are not immediately visible, the path to them must be marked with readily visible signs. Exit routes must be kept free of obstructions at all times and must not be locked in a way that prevents escape from inside.
What the standard requires
- Arrange exits to allow free and unobstructed egress
- Mark exits and the routes to them with visible signs
- Keep means of egress continually clear of obstructions
- Avoid locking exits against escape from inside
Hazards it addresses
- Workers trapped during fires or emergencies
- Delayed evacuation through blocked or unmarked routes
Cited on building construction and renovation projects, particularly in multi-story and enclosed structures.
Plain-language summary written for this site; it is not the regulatory text and not legal advice. Read the official text at eCFR.
Citations by month
Inspections with citations issued, by month of issuance. Hatched months are incomplete: citations reach the public data about a month after issuance.
Most-cited paragraphs
| Paragraph | What it covers | Items | Inspections | Median initial penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926.34(a) | Exits must be arranged and maintained to provide free and unobstructed egress from all parts of the building or structure. | 8 | 8 | $1,310 |
| 1926.34(b) | Exits must be marked with readily visible signs where not immediately visible. | 8 | 8 | $1,599 |
| 1926.34(c) | Means of egress must be continually maintained free of all obstructions. | 7 | 7 | $2,837 |
Penalties
Across 23 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $56,914 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $36,990, 35% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Other-than-serious 52%; Serious 48%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 8 | 9 | $10,915 | $10,216 |
| Massachusetts | 5 | 5 | $14,129 | $2,128 |
| Nevada | 3 | 3 | $5,674 | $4,256 |
| Kentucky | 2 | 2 | $11,200 | $10,360 |
| Florida | 1 | 1 | $1,328 | $1,328 |
| Iowa | 1 | 1 | $9,930 | $4,965 |
| Ohio | 1 | 1 | $1,929 | $1,929 |
| West Virginia | 1 | 1 | $1,809 | $1,809 |
By industry
- Construction: 20 inspections
- Other services: 1 inspections
- Professional & technical services: 1 inspections
Recently cited establishments
About these records. Citations list alleged violations and proposed penalties. Employers can contest them, and many are reduced or withdrawn in settlement. Each row shows the original and the current penalty and a status label derived from the public data as of October 5, 2026. Check the linked osha.gov page for the official record.
| Establishment | Location | Issued | Alleged items | Initial penalty | Current penalty | Status and deadlines | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitt Contracting, Inc. | Chesterfield, VA | Aug 11, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | ContestedContested Sep 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| 3D Construction, LLC | Parkersburg, WV | Jul 15, 2026 | 1 | $1,809 | $1,809 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 10, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Platinum Plastering Inc. | Las Vegas, NV | Jun 23, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | ContestedAbatement due Jul 1, 2026Contested Jul 22, 2026 | osha.gov |
| The Haskell Company | Orlando, FL | May 4, 2026 | 1 | $1,328 | $1,328 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| M.J. Constructions Co. | Las Vegas, NV | May 1, 2026 | 1 | $2,837 | $2,837 | Final order | osha.gov |
| Global Agency LLC | Las Vegas, NV | May 1, 2026 | 1 | $2,837 | $1,418 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| KY Kytc Cab Hwy District 2 | Clay, KY | Apr 3, 2026 | 1 | $7,000 | $7,000 | ContestedAbatement due Apr 21, 2026Contested Apr 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Galusha Contracting LLC | Clay, KY | Apr 2, 2026 | 1 | $4,200 | $3,360 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 6, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Sarvicus LLC | Commercial Point, OH | Mar 19, 2026 | 1 | $1,929 | $1,929 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| King Plaster & Construction LLC | Newport News, VA | Mar 9, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Mar 23, 2026 | osha.gov |
| M Holland & Sons Construction, Inc. | Boston, MA | Mar 5, 2026 | 1 | $7,035 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 23, 2026 | osha.gov |
| L of J Construction, Inc. | Boston, MA | Jun 11, 2026 | 1 | $2,838 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 23, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Jaswal Corp. | Norfolk, VA | Feb 26, 2026 | 1 | $1,870 | $1,309 | Informal settlementAbatement due Mar 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| T&P Ferreira Corp. | Tewksbury, MA | Feb 19, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Core 22 Design Build, LLC | Newport News, VA | Feb 11, 2026 | 2 | $690 | $552 | Informal settlementAbatement due Feb 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Rogers Construction, Inc. | Cedar Rapids, IA | Jan 30, 2026 | 1 | $9,930 | $4,965 | Informal settlementAbatement due Mar 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| MTZ Framing, LLC | East Boston, MA | Jun 11, 2026 | 1 | $2,128 | $2,128 | Final orderAbatement due Mar 23, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Jamsan Construction Management LLC | East Boston, MA | Jan 30, 2026 | 1 | $2,128 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Mar 23, 2026 | osha.gov |
| G.J. Hopkins, Inc. | Christiansburg, VA | Dec 30, 2025 | 1 | $600 | $600 | Final orderAbatement due Jan 27, 2026Contested Jan 13, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Branch Builds Inc. | Christiansburg, VA | Dec 23, 2025 | 1 | $600 | $600 | Final orderAbatement due Jan 21, 2026Contested Jan 13, 2026 | osha.gov |
| North South Construction, Inc. | Suffolk, VA | Dec 22, 2025 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Dec 31, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Hourigan Construction, Inc. | Virginia Beach, VA | Dec 9, 2025 | 1 | $7,155 | $7,155 | ContestedContested Jan 6, 2026 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1926.501 Fall Protection (6 shared inspections)
- 1926.502 Fall Protection Systems (4 shared inspections)
- 1926.20 Construction Safety Programs (3 shared inspections)
- 1926.150 Construction Fire Protection (3 shared inspections)
- 1926.405 Temporary Wiring and Cords (3 shared inspections)
- 1926.451 Scaffold Safety (2 shared inspections)
- 1903.19 Abatement Verification (2 shared inspections)
- 1926.1053 Ladder Safety (2 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1926.34 require?
Buildings and structures under construction must have exits arranged and maintained so that workers can leave freely and without obstruction in an emergency. Where exits are not immediately visible, the path to them must be marked with readily visible signs. Exit routes must be kept free of obstructions at all times and must not be locked in a way that prevents escape from inside.
How often was 1926.34 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1926.34 (Construction Exit Routes) appeared in 22 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 23 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1926.34 is cited most?
1926.34(a) was the most-cited paragraph, with 8 items: Exits must be arranged and maintained to provide free and unobstructed egress from all parts of the building or structure.
Which states cite 1926.34 most often?
The most citations under 1926.34 in this period were issued in Virginia, Massachusetts, Nevada.
What is the typical penalty for a 1926.34 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $1,870; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $600. Totals: $56,914 proposed, $36,990 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1926.34 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 26% of these items were contested, and many others were changed in settlements. Each listing shows its current status and a link to the official record.