OSHA recently launched its National Emphasis Program (NEP) for protecting workers from heat-related hazards in indoor and outdoor workplaces. Through the program, OSHA will conduct heat-related workplace inspections before workers suffer preventable injuries, illnesses or fatalities. The NEP became effective on April 8, 2022, and will remain in effect for three years unless canceled or extended by a superseding directive.
High-risk Industries
The NEP targets over 70 industries that present a high risk for heat-related hazards. These industries were identified based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and OSHA. This data found that high-risk industries exhibit one or more of the following characteristics:
- Increased incidence rates of heat-related illnesses
- An elevated number of lost workdays due to heat-related illnesses or a greater frequency of severe heat-related illness cases
- The highest number of heat-related general duty clause violations and hazard alert letters over a five-year period
- The highest number of heat-related OSHA inspections since 2017
Heat-related Hazards & NEP Details
The NEP establishes heat priority days when the heat index is expected to be 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. On those priority days, OSHA will:
- Initiate compliance assistance in targeted high-risk industries.
- Investigate any alleged heat-related fatality, complaint or referral, regardless of whether the associated worksite falls within a targeted NEP industry.
The NEP encourages employers to protect their workers from heat-related hazards during heat priority days by providing them with access to water, rest, shade, adequate training and—in the case of new or returning employees—acclimatization procedures. For further OSHA resources, contact us today.
