The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced on Apr. 16 an updated National Emphasis Program (NEP) focused on outdoor and indoor heat-related hazards, extending the initiative for another five years through 2031.
The update signals OSHA’s ongoing commitment to addressing workplace risks related to heat exposure, even as a federal heat regulation remains pending. The NEP aims to direct agency resources toward industries where workers face the greatest risk of heat stress, with inspections and outreach efforts prioritized in these sectors.
According to an OSHA press release, the updated NEP will “direct agency resources where they can make the biggest impact—focusing inspections and outreach in industries and workplaces where heat stress risks are most likely to occur.” The new program identifies a target list of 55 high-hazard industries, expanding from the previous list by adding 22 new sectors such as plastic product manufacturing, metalworking machinery manufacturing, department stores, general freight trucking, animal slaughtering/processing, and electric power generation/transmission/distribution. Random inspections will be conducted at employer establishments on days when the National Weather Service issues a local heat warning or advisory.
The NEP also instructs Certified Safety and Health Officials (CSHOs) to inquire about employers’ prevention programs for heat hazards during any inspection that takes place on “heat priority days,” defined as days with a heat index of 80 degrees or higher. Additionally, if evidence of hazardous heat conditions is found during non-heat-related inspections—such as through injury logs or employee statements—inspectors are required to expand their review to include those hazards.
Other changes in this update include removing outdated background information from previous versions of the NEP, updating internal links to relevant resources, eliminating a prior inspection goal, and revising appendices that guide evaluation of employer programs and citation practices.
While there is still no federal standard specifically governing workplace heat exposure, OSHA continues enforcement under its general duty clause. Many states have begun adopting their own rules regarding occupational heat safety. As summer approaches or temperatures rise in certain regions throughout the year, employers are advised to prepare for compliance with these requirements.
