DOL Releases New Outdoor and Indoor Heat-related Hazards Guidance

The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) updated its National Emphasis Program that protects workers from outdoor and indoor heat-related hazards. Agency resources will now focus on inspections and outreach in industries and workplaces where heat stress risks are most likely to occur, including the building services industry.   

Originally issued in April 2022, the revised National Emphasis Program – Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards uses OSHA and Bureau of Labor Statistics data from calendar years 2022-2025 to direct inspection priorities to 55 high-risk industries in indoor and outdoor work settings.

Through this data, OSHA identified industries with high rates of heat-related illness and industries with employers that have received heat-related citations or hazard alert letters. The revised emphasis program removes outdated background information, updates links, eliminates the former numerical inspection goal, and introduces two reorganized appendices, one for evaluating heat programs and another for citation guidance. The update also includes clearer guidance that will improve tracking and more effectively implement the program’s enforcement and outreach efforts.

Compliance officers will continue to conduct outreach and compliance assistance and expand any inspection where there is evidence of heat-related hazards on heat priority days. Additionally, compliance officers will conduct random inspections focused on heat hazards in high-risk industries on days when the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory or warning.

Heat illness remains a serious hazard for indoor and outdoor workers, leading to preventable injuries and fatalities every year. Ensuring that employers take the steps needed to safeguard workers is essential, and this updated program allows OSHA to better focus on outreach, compliance assistance, and enforcement efforts in high-risk industries and promote effective prevention practices.

The revised National Emphasis Program is effective immediately and will be in place for five years after the effective date.

OSHA will continue its compliance assistance and outreach efforts to industry and labor stakeholders, alliance partners, and media to broaden the reach of heat safety information and resources. The agency’s On-Site Consultation Program, a free and confidential health and safety consulting program for small- and medium-sized businesses, can assist employers with developing strategic approaches for addressing heat-related illnesses and injuries in workplaces.