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Heat NEP Updated Apr 10

Is Your Crew Protected From Heat Illness?

OSHA updated the federal Heat Illness National Emphasis Program in April 2026. Check your state coverage.

Federal heat enforcement continues. OSHA's revised Heat NEP is effective immediately, focuses on high-risk industries, and remains in place for five years after its April 10, 2026 effective date. State heat standards still apply.

Check Your Heat Risk Coverage

Heat Risk Assessment

State Heat Plan Status
Federal Heat NEP Update — What Changed
Penalty Exposure
What To Do Next
This tool provides general compliance information based on publicly available regulations. It is not legal advice. Requirements change — verify current rules with your state OSHA agency or a qualified safety consultant before relying on this output.
Get Your Heat Illness Prevention Plan Read the Full NEP Analysis

Heat Safety Readiness Checklist

OSHA updated the Heat NEP on April 10, 2026 (CPL-03-00-024). Here's what changed and the 6 things every contractor should have documented before summer.

What Changed

  • OSHA renewed and revised the Heat NEP — proactive heat inspections continue, focused on high-risk industries
  • OSHA can cite heat hazards under the General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1)) and the updated NEP
  • State-plan states (CA, WA, OR, MN) still enforce their own heat standards independently

6 Things to Document

  1. Written Heat Illness Prevention Plan — required in CA, WA, OR; strongly recommended everywhere
  2. Water, rest, shade procedures — documented and communicated to all workers
  3. Acclimatization protocol — new and returning workers need a gradual ramp-up plan
  4. Heat training records — signed acknowledgments for all field employees
  5. Emergency response plan — what to do when someone shows heat illness symptoms
  6. Daily monitoring log — temperature checks and work/rest schedule adjustments

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Full Analysis: OSHA Heat NEP Updated for 2026 What OSHA's April update means for contractors, which states are affected, and what enforcement looks like under the revised NEP. Read the article /

Heat NEP & Heat Illness FAQs

The Heat Illness National Emphasis Program (NEP) is a federal directive that authorizes OSHA compliance officers to proactively inspect worksites when heat-related hazards are present. Launched in April 2022, it significantly increased heat-related inspections across construction and general industry. OSHA updated the Heat NEP on April 10, 2026 (directive CPL-03-00-024). The revised program is effective immediately, remains in place for five years after the effective date, and focuses resources on high-risk industries and workplaces where heat stress risks are most likely to occur.
No. Federal heat enforcement continues. OSHA's revised Heat NEP keeps heat hazards in the agency's inspection, outreach, and compliance-assistance priorities. The General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1)) still obligates employers to protect workers from recognized hazards including heat. For the six states with permanent heat standards (California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Maryland, Minnesota), enforcement continues completely unchanged — those standards apply independently of the federal NEP.
Six states have enacted permanent, standalone heat illness prevention standards that apply independently of the federal NEP: California (outdoor heat standard since 2005; indoor heat standard effective 2024 at 82°F); Washington (Outdoor Heat Exposure Rule, triggers at 89°F or 52°F with non-breathable clothing); Oregon (Heat Illness Prevention Rule, triggers at 80°F heat index, applies indoor AND outdoor); Nevada (Heat Illness Prevention Plan required as part of written safety program); Maryland (Heat Stress Standard, COMAR 09.12.32, effective September 2024, triggers at 80°F heat index, indoor AND outdoor); and Minnesota (Heat Standard). If you're in one of these states, your obligations continue regardless of what happens at the federal level.
A compliant heat plan covers six areas: (1) Water — 1 quart per worker per hour in high heat, cool and nearby; (2) Shade or cooling — accessible within 1 minute of the work area; (3) Acclimatization — 10–14 day ramp-up schedule for new and returning workers; (4) Rest periods — California requires mandatory 5-minute cool-down for anyone showing symptoms; (5) Emergency response — documented procedures, first-aid trained supervisors; and (6) Training — annual training for both workers and supervisors on recognition, first aid, and reporting. The written plan itself must be in writing, available on the jobsite, and translated if workers primarily speak another language.
Under the General Duty Clause (federal and most state-plan states without their own heat standard), OSHA can cite serious violations at up to $16,550 per citation and willful/repeat violations at up to $165,514. State-plan states with heat standards can impose their own maximums: Oregon tops the nation at $250,000 willful maximum; California can reach $25,000 for a serious violation; Maryland's willful violation causing death carries up to $250,000 (individual) or $500,000 (organization). Failure to abate continues to accrue daily — up to $16,550 per day past the abatement deadline.

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