Washington — OSHA has extended for another year its National Emphasis Program on outdoor and indoor heat-related hazards.
The program was set to expire April 8.
“OSHA’s review of this NEP shows success in identifying and targeting industries with employee exposures to heat-related hazards, while removing nearly 1,400 employees from these hazards,” states an agency notice published Jan. 16.
Since initiating the NEP in April 2022, OSHA says it has conducted around 7,000 heat-related inspections and issued 60 citations for violations of the General Duty Clause – along with nearly 1,400 hazard alert letters.
By contrast, the agency completed around 200 annual heat-related inspections from 2015 to 2020. That included approximately 15 fatality inspections each year.
Under the NEP, OSHA conducts heat-related inspections of more than 70 “high-risk” industries if the National Weather Service issues a heat warning or advisory for a local area. The agency also engages in outreach and provides technical assistance when the heat index reaches at least 80° F.
Additionally, OSHA compliance safety and health officers look for heat hazards during all inspections.
