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06/16/2026
OSHA Expands Heat Enforcement Efforts Through 2031
Source: Sedgwick Safety Services and OSHA National Emphasis Program for Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has officially updated and extended its National Emphasis Program (NEP) for Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards through 2031. Originally launched in 2022, the program was developed in response to increasing incidents of heat-related illnesses and fatalities in the workplace. Following approximately 7,000 heat-related inspections and nearly 1,400 hazard alert letters issued nationwide, OSHA has determined that heat exposure remains a significant occupational hazard requiring continued enforcement attention.
One of the most significant changes is a revised list of high-risk industries targeted for programmed inspections. OSHA retained 33 industries from the original program, removed 46, and added 22 new industries where heat-related risks are considered elevated. Industries commonly affected include manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, retail operations, agriculture, construction, and restaurants, including many indoor environments that lack adequate climate control.
The updated program also formalizes OSHA's use of "Heat Priority Days," defined as days when the heat index reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher or when the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory or warning. On these days, OSHA compliance officers may expand existing inspections to include heat-related hazards and conduct additional programmed inspections in targeted industries.
To create greater consistency during inspections, OSHA has introduced new guidance documents that provide inspectors with a standardized framework for evaluating employer heat illness prevention programs. Areas of focus include employee access to water, rest breaks, shade or cooling areas, acclimatization practices, employee training, and environmental monitoring. OSHA has also encouraged employers to use these evaluation tools to assess their own heat prevention programs proactively.
For graphic communications companies, particularly those operating manufacturing facilities, warehouses, fulfillment centers, or production environments without full climate control, this update serves as an important reminder to review existing heat illness prevention procedures. With OSHA signaling a long-term commitment to heat hazard enforcement, employers should ensure policies, training, and workplace controls are in place before temperatures peak this summer.
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As temperatures rise across the country, OSHA is expanding its focus on workplace heat-related hazards. The agency recently updated and extended its National Emphasis Program for Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards through 2031, signaling that heat illness prevention will remain a major enforcement priority for years to come. Employers in manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, retail, and other industries should take note of the program's expanded inspection procedures and enforcement guidance.
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