OSHA Announces National Emphasis Program On Heat Illness

The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched a National Emphasis Program to protect workers from heat illness injuries.  The program includes proactive inspections in over 70 high-risk industries in indoor and outdoor works settings when the National Weather Service has issued a heat warning or advisory for the local area.   On days when the heat index is 80 F or higher, OSHA inspectors and compliance assistance specialists will engage in proactive outreach and technical assistance to help stakeholders keep workers safe on the job. Inspectors will look for and address heat hazards during inspections, regardless of whether the industry is targeted in the NEP. 

In late 2021 OSHA published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention which VTCA and ARTBA provided comments.  The ANPRM opened a public comment period to allow OSHA to gather information and perspectives on the issue.  The publication has no impact on OSHA’s current enforcement policies.  It is not clear when OSHA may move the effort into a proposed rulemaking. 

Virginia operates under OSHA’s approved state plan and administers Virginia’s worker protection and work-related injury prevention programs.  VTCA is reaching out to VOSH to determine their role in OSHA’s National Emphasis Program on Heat Illness.