Federal Heat Safety Protections Expire as Temperatures Rise
Advocates warn that the lapse of a national oversight initiative leaves millions of employees without guaranteed protections during extreme weather.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- Apr 08, 2026
A critical federal oversight mechanism for workplace heat safety expires on April 8, leaving millions of laborers without targeted protections as the summer season begins.
OSHA’s National Emphasis Program (NEP) on heat, launched in 2022, provided the agency with a framework to proactively inspect high-risk worksites. Without the program, National COSH warns that employer accountability will drop just as temperatures nationwide begin to climb.
Despite the high risks associated with thermal exposure, there is currently no permanent federal standard mandating that employers provide basic mitigations such as water, rest and shade. The NEP acted as a temporary bridge, resulting in approximately 7,000 inspections in industries like construction, agriculture and warehousing.
“We already know what works,” said Jessica E. Martinez, executive director of National COSH. “Water. Shade. Rest. Acclimatization. Training. These are simple, evidence-based steps. But without a standard, they are not guaranteed.”
Heat remains the leading cause of weather-related death in the United States.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that an average of 3,389 workers suffer heat-related injuries or illnesses serious enough to miss work annually. From 1992 to 2021, environmental heat exposure killed 999 U.S. workers, though experts suggest these figures are likely underreported due to misdiagnosis and inconsistent reporting across industries.
States that have implemented their own enforceable heat standards, such as California and Oregon, have seen measurable success. California reported a 33% reduction in workplace heat-related fatalities following the implementation of its safety rules.
Labor advocates are now calling on federal officials to finalize a permanent, comprehensive heat standard to replace the expired enforcement program and ensure worker safety as climate-driven extreme heat intensifies.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of OHSOnline.com.