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Aisle marking colors and recommended widths

Summary OSHA field offices asked what aisle markings would comply in industrial workplaces. OSHA said line color and pattern could vary if they clearly marked the aisle, and gave widths for markings and aisles. The archived page notes a 2009 correction.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1972-05-15
Date issued
May 15, 1972
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy. The page notes an April 17, 2009 correction.
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Aisles Floor Marking
Source
View the official document

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The current status of this document is unclear
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy. The page notes an April 17, 2009 correction. It may no longer reflect the agency's current position. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

May 15, 1972

REPLY TO ATTN OF:
OSHA/ARAC

SUBJECT:
Compliance with Aisle Markings (Part 1910.22(b))

TO:
All Area Directors

As a result of numerous calls regarding the marking and widths of aisles in industrial operations, the following are considered to comply with the requirements:

The lines used to delineate the aisles may be any color so long as they clearly define the area considered as aisle space. The lines may be composed of dots, square, strip or continuous, but they too must define the aisle area.

The recommended width of aisle markings varies from 2 inches to 6 inches; therefore, any width 2 inches or more is considered acceptable.

The recommended width of aisles is at least 3 feet wider than the largest equipment to be utilized, or a minimum of 4 feet.

R. A. Wendell
Assistant Regional Administrator
for Compliance

[Corrected April 17, 2009]

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