OSHA Sharpens Heat Enforcement as New Standards Near
OSHA is intensifying enforcement on heat safety in high-risk industries as new federal rules near.
Why it matters: Law firms and corporate employers must prepare for expanded workplace safety obligations and stepped-up OSHA inspections as federal heat standards move closer to implementation. Compliance risks will rise for sectors under the expanded National Emphasis Program.
- OSHA updated its National Emphasis Program on April 10, 2026, extending it through April 2031.
- The revised NEP targets 55 industries including construction, warehousing, and agriculture.
- Proposed federal rules would require heat control measures at 80°F and 90°F thresholds.
- OSHA conducted approximately 7,000 heat-related inspections from April 2022 to December 2024.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is intensifying its focus on workplace heat hazards, recently extending and refining its National Emphasis Program (NEP) through April 10, 2031. Industries facing the closest scrutiny include construction, agriculture, warehousing, transportation, and manufacturing, among others. In total, 55 sectors were identified as high-risk based on recent compliance and injury data from 2022 to 2025.
- Enforcement efforts have escalated, with OSHA conducting about 7,000 heat-related inspections between April 2022 and December 2024—a stark increase compared to historic levels.
- "Workers at risk of heat illness need a new rule to protect workers from heat hazards. OSHA is working aggressively to develop a new regulation that keeps workers safe from the dangers of heat," said Doug Parker, Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health.
- The pending OSHA rule introduced in August 2024 proposes mandatory controls for employers when the heat index reaches 80°F or 90°F, but has yet to be finalized. Employers in high-risk industries should prepare for control measures to become a requirement.
Law firms advising clients in targeted sectors should begin reviewing existing workplace heat safety protocols and prepare for potential new federal requirements and enforcement actions. The current NEP and pending regulation make proactive compliance essential for mitigating liability and ensuring worker protection.
By the numbers:
- 7,000 — OSHA heat-related inspections between April 2022 and December 2024
- 55 — High-risk industries targeted under the revised NEP
- 80°F/90°F — Heat index triggers for employer action in the proposed OSHA rule
Yes, but: The federal heat safety rule remains pending, with no finalized date announced.
What's next: Employers should monitor for OSHA's final rulemaking and update compliance programs in anticipation of new standards.