OSHA launched its first ever National Emphasis Program (NEP) for Indoor and Outdoor Heat Hazards.
The NEP, which began April 8 and was announced April 12, is OSHA’s way of attempting to “immediately improve enforcement and compliance efforts, while continuing long-term work to establish a heat illness prevention rule.”
Heat illness has become a top priority of OSHA under the Biden administration, which initiated rulemaking in 2021 towards a federal heat standard.
Some state-plan states, such as California, already have heat standards in place.
A public stakeholder meeting is being held May 3 to discuss OSHA’s efforts to protect workers from heat hazards. Register here for the event.
What to expect
OSHA is going to initiate inspections in more than 70 high-risk industries (see below) in indoor and outdoor work settings on days when the National Weather Service has issued a heat warning or advisory for a local area.
When the heat index is 80 degrees or higher, inspectors and compliance assistance specialists will engage in “outreach and technical assistance to help stakeholders keep workers safe on the job.”
And inspectors are expected to look for and address heat hazards during inspections, regardless of whether the industry is targeted by the NEP.
OSHA area offices will be engaging in outreach to unions, employers in targeted industries and other organizations “committed to advancing protections for underserved workers.”
The agency will be using its On-Site Consultation Program to assist employers in determining how to address heat-related illnesses and injuries in a specific workplace.
Targeted industries
The NEP will target both non-construction and construction industries along with a few others that fit in neither of those categories.
Non-construction industries
- Cattle Ranching and Farming
- Support Activities for Crop Production
- Support Activities for Mining
- Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing
- Sawmills and Wood Preservation
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing
- Glass and Glass Product Manufacturing
- Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing
- Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing Foundries
- Architectural and Structural Metals Manufacturing
- Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
- Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
- Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing
- Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing
- Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing
- Ship and Boat Building
- Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
- Household and Institutional Furniture and Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturing
- Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers
- Paper and Paper Product Merchant Wholesalers
- Drugs and Druggists’ Sundries Merchant Wholesalers
- Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Merchant Wholesalers
- Grocery and Related Product Merchant Wholesalers
- Farm Product Raw Material Merchant Wholesalers
- Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers
- Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers
- Beer, Wine, and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers
- Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Merchant Wholesalers
- Automotive Parts, Accessories, and Tire Stores
- Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Stores
- Support Activities for Air Transportation
- Support Activities for Rail Transportation
- Support Activities for Water Transportation
- Support Activities for Road Transportation
- Other Support Activities for Transportation
- Couriers and Express Delivery Services
- Local Messengers and Local Delivery
- Warehousing and Storage
- Lessors of Real Estate
- Services to Buildings and Dwellings (includes landscaping services, tree removal and tree trimming services)
- Waste Collection
- Waste Treatment and Disposal
- Remediation and Other Waste Management Services
- Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities)
- Traveler Accommodation
- Automotive Repair and Maintenance
- Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance
- Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance
Construction industries
- Residential Building Construction
- Nonresidential Building Construction
- Utility System Construction
- Land Subdivision
- Highway, Street and Bridge Construction
- Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
- Foundation, Structure and Building Exterior Contractors
- Building Equipment Contractors
- Building Finishing Contractors
- Other Specialty Trade Contractors
Other industries
- Vegetable and Melon Farming
- Fruit and Tree Nut Farming
- Water, Sewage and Other Systems (may be State or local jurisdiction)
- Automobile Dealers
- Other Motor Vehicle Dealers
- Rail Transportation (may be Federal jurisdiction)
- Freight Transportation Arrangement
- Postal Service
- Office Administrative Services
- Facilities Support Services
- Employment Services
- Business Support Services
- Investigation and Security Services
- Other Support Services
- Educational Support Services
- Restaurants and Other Eating Places
- Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
- National Security and International Affairs (includes Customs and Border Patrol, and Transportation Security Administration)
