Required General Industry OSHA Distances for access and clearance At-A-Glance

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Quite a few OSHA regulations require employers to maintain access to emergency equipment (such as eyewash systems and fire extinguishers) or maintain areas without obstruction (such as emergency exit routes). In some cases, the regulation specifies a particular distance; however, other regulations use vague phrases such as “readily accessible to employees.”

Sometimes, a consensus standard clarifies the distance, or at least provides a guideline. In other cases, OSHA simply incorporates a consensus standard by reference. This topic provides an overview of a few regulations that apply to most employers.

Category	Aisles (Walking-working surfaces)
Requirement:	Employers must ensure: All places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces are kept in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition. The floor of each workroom is maintained in a clean and, to the extent feasible, in a dry condition. When wet processes are used, drainage must be maintained and, to the extent feasible, dry standing places, such as false floors, platforms, and mats must be provided. Walking-working surfaces are maintained free of hazards such as sharp or protruding objects, loose boards, corrosion, leaks, spills, snow, and ice. Walking-working surfaces are inspected, regularly and as necessary, and maintained in a safe condition; Hazardous conditions on walking-working surfaces are corrected or repaired before an employee uses the walking-working surface again. If the correction or repair cannot be made immediately, the hazard must be guarded to prevent employees from using the walking-working surface until the hazard is corrected or repaired; and When any correction or repair involves the structural integrity of the walking-working surface, a qualified person performs or supervises the correction or repair. The employer must provide, and ensure each employee uses, a safe means of access and egress to and from walking-working surfaces.
Regulation:	1910.22

Category:	Electrical
Requirement:	Maintain 3 feet of working clearance, and a working space at least 30 inches wide, for live parts at 600 volts or less. The regulation includes requirements for additional space depending on conditions, and specify a working space headroom of 6 feet 5 inches. Maintain a working space at of at least 3 feet, and a working space headroom of 6 feet 5 inches, for live parts over 600 volts.
Regulation:	600 volts or less: 1910.303(g)(1) over 600 volts: 1910.303(h)(3)

Category:	Emergency eyewash/shower
Requirement:	Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.The consensus standard (ANSI Z358.1, Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment) specifies that an employee must be able to reach the eyewash within 10 seconds, and that the path of travel be free from obstructions.
Regulation:	1910.151(c)

Category:	Exits
Requirement:	The ceiling of an exit route must be at least seven feet six inches high. Any projection from the ceiling must not reach a point less than six feet eight inches from the floor.An exit access must be at least 28 inches wide at all points. Where there is only one exit access leading to an exit or exit discharge, the width of the exit and exit discharge must be at least equal to the width of the exit access.
Regulation:	1910.36(g)(1) and (g)(2)

Category:	Fire extinguishers
Requirement:	The employer shall provide portable fire extinguishers and shall mount, locate and identify them so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury. However, the term “readily accessible” is not specifically defined in terms of clearance distance. Travel distance to the fire extinguisher could be from 50 to 75 feet, depending on the class of the fire.
Regulation:	readily accessible: 1910.157(c)(1)travel distance: 1910.157(d)(2), (d)(4), and (d)(6)

Category:	Flammable liquids
Requirement:	In every inside storage room there shall be maintained one clear aisle at least 3 feet wide. For warehouses or storage buildings, no pile shall: Be closer than 3 feet to the nearest beam, chord, girder, or other obstruction; and Be 3 feet below sprinkler deflectors or discharge orifices of water spray, or other overhead fire protection systems. Aisles of at least 3 feet wide shall be provided where necessary for reasons of access to doors, windows or standpipe connections.
Regulation:	inside storage rooms:1910.106(d)(4)(v) warehouses or storage buildings: 1910.106(d)(5)(vi)

Category:	Material handling
Requirement:	Where mechanical handling equipment is used, sufficient safe clearances shall be allowed for aisles, at loading docks, through doorways and wherever turns or passage must be made. Aisles and passageways shall be kept clear and in good repair, with no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard. Permanent aisles and passageways shall be appropriately marked.Clearance signs to warn of clearance limits shall be provided.
Regulation:	aisle clearance: 1910.176(a)signs: 1910.176(e)

Category:	Overhead sprinklers
Requirement:	The employer shall assure that sprinklers are spaced to provide a maximum protection area per sprinkler, a minimum of interference to the discharge pattern by building or structural members or building contents and suitable sensitivity to possible fire hazards. The minimum vertical clearance between sprinklers and material below shall be 18 inches.
Regulation:	1910.159(c)(10)

Category:	Openings
Requirement:	The employer must ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface near an opening, including one with a chute attached, where the inside bottom edge of the opening is less than 39 inches (99 cm) above that walking-working surface and the outside bottom edge of the opening is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by the use of: Guardrail systems; Safety net systems; Travel restraint systems; or Personal fall arrest systems.
Regulation:	1910.28(b)(7)

Category:	Unprotected edges
Requirement:	The employer must ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by one or more of the following: Guardrail systems; Safety net systems; or Personal fall protection systems, such as personal fall arrest, travel restraint, or positioning systems.
Regulation:	1910.28(b)(1)

Category:	Dangerous equipment