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Color of workplace exit signs

Summary An employer asked whether OSHA prohibited red exit signs. OSHA said its cited exit-marking rule did not ban red; any color or combination was acceptable if the sign was readily visible or distinctive. It added that local building codes could impose their own color requirements, and the online letter notes later corrections and a rule revision.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1972-09-14
Date issued
September 14, 1972
Status
Active
OSHA marks its online letter corrected on February 6, 2004 and notes a 2002 revision to the cited exit-route rule.
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Exit Routes Signage
Source
View the official document

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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.

September 14, 1972
Mr. H. W. Somershoe
Executive Vice President
DAP Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Somershoe:
In regard to your letter of September 7, 1972, exit markings in places of employment are covered under [29 CFR 1910.37(b)(6)] of the OSHA Standards (Federal Register, May 29, 1971 [Revised November 7, 2002 67 FR 67949-67965]). [Subparagraph (b)] in the discussion of exit sign marking and distinctive lighting for exits have no prohibition against the color red. Any color, or color combinations, that is readily visible or distinctive in appearance on exit signs is acceptable to OSHA. It is possible that local building codes may requires a certain color, but our standards do not.
We trust that this information will be of assistance to you.
Sincerely,
PATRICK J. HOMMY
CSHO, Standards
[Corrected 2/6/2004]

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