Article ID: bedefffc6b77f5d77cd00ec4034c78b34d296c5a171f5d71b0883fc09ba06f59
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URL: https://www.businessinsurance.com/osha-updates-heat-enforcement-program-as-prior-initiative-expires/
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OSHA updates heat enforcement program as prior initiative expires - Business Insurance Skip to content Register for free Search Search Log In Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers OSHA updates heat enforcement program as prior initiative expires by Louise Esola Regulation , Workers Comp Coverage , Workplace Safety Apr 10, 2026 A federal workplace heat safety program expired this week, just as regulators on Friday unveiled an updated enforcement initiative aimed at continuing inspections in high-risk industries, according to agency documents. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s National Emphasis Program on heat hazards, launched in 2022 and expired Wednesday, raising concerns among worker advocates about enforcement gaps heading into the summer. Its expiration left the agency relying on its general duty clause to cite employers in the absence of a formal standard, which has been in the works since 2024. The updated program “describes policies and procedures for the continued implementation” of a heat enforcement effort targeting industries with the highest exposure risks, including construction, agriculture, manufacturing and warehousing, according to the directive. The revised program replaces the 2022 version and includes several changes, such as updated target industries based on more recent injury and illness data, revised inspection goals, and expanded guidance on evaluating employer heat safety programs and issuing citations. OSHA said 46 industries were removed from the updated targeting list, but the directive does not specifically name them. The program added 22 new industries identified through recent injury data and inspection trends. The additions include manufacturing, food processing, delivery and logistics, utilities, and support services for air, rail, and road transportation. The agency notes that removals were based on updated data showing lower incidence rates of heat-related injuries, fewer severe cases, or reduced enforcement activity compared with other sectors. Federal regulators emphasized that the initiative will continue to prioritize inspections during high-heat conditions, including days when the National Weather Service issues heat advisories or warnings, and will focus on both indoor and outdoor workplaces where workers face elevated risks. The program also maintains a strong enforcement component, directing compliance officers to expand inspections when heat hazards are observed and to prioritize investigations involving fatalities, hospitalizations and worker complaints. Heat-related risks remain a significant workplace concern. Federal data cited in the directive show an average of 48 worker fatalities annually from heat exposure between 2021 and 2024, along with thousands of serious injuries and illnesses leading to time away from work. The updated initiative continues to rely on a mix of enforcement, outreach and compliance assistance, encouraging employers to implement measures such as access to water, rest breaks, cooling areas and acclimatization protocols to reduce risks. OSHA continues to work toward a permanent federal heat standard. A proposed rule introduced in 2024 has advanced through hearings but has not yet been finalized. Worker safety advocates have warned that without a formal rule, protections may remain inconsistent, particularly in states that lack their own heat safety standards. Related News Court rules for Berkshire unit in COVID fraud coverage case April 10, 2026 Broker M&A rise slightly in 2025: MarshBerry April 10, 2026 Battery maker fined $224,000, shut down after lead exposure violations April 10, 2026 SAIF names Ian Williams interim president, CEO April 10, 2026 Ceasefire fails to ease Europe’s jet fuel shortage April 10, 2026 Steadfast open to sale amid ongoing broker consolidation April 10, 2026 Zurich expands into Poland April 10, 2026 VIG Re posts $57M profit April 10, 2026 War risk rates unlikely to fall after ceasefire: WTW April 10, 2026 Facebook-f X-twitter Linkedin-in Business Insurance is a singular, authoritative news and information source for executives focused upon risk management, risk transfer and risk financing. 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