OSHA's New Heat Stress NEP Is In Effect. Are You Ready?

On April 8, 2022, OSHA launched a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to protect workers from heat illness and injuries in general industry, construction, maritime, and agriculture. The NEP requires each OSHA region to increase the number of heat inspections by 100 percent over the past five-year average.


OSHA will proactively initiate inspections in over 70 high-risk industries in indoor and outdoor work settings when the National Weather Service has issued a heat warning or advisory for a local area. Initial follow-up inspections will be conducted for establishments that were previously inspected as a result of a heat-related fatality and were issued citations.


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.


What do you need to do now?


  • Assessment of high-risk areas is a must to quickly and accurately evaluate potential heat stress environments and determine what controls are practical to minimize or eliminate this potential hazard.
  • Develop a Heat Stress or Temperature Extreme Management Plan that addresses your areas that are applicable conditions such as Hot, Cold, Windy, Wet, etc.


How SEA can help…


SEA can help you reach compliance with the new OSHA National Emphasis program by conducting accurate evaluations of potential heat stress areas using real-time instrumentation that eliminates the need to carry paper charts, pocket guides, and look-up tables into the field by measuring Dry Bulb Temperature, Wet Bulb Temperature, Globe Temperature, Relative Humidity, and Air Velocity. Using this process will help safety and health managers identify which control may apply to your specific areas. SEA will help you meet the requirements of the NEP and the assessment can be expanded to meet other conditions at your facilities such as Cold, Windy, and Wet environments too.


Upon request, SEA can develop your site-specific Temperature Extreme Management Plan which includes:


  • Hazard Assessments
  • Medical Surveillance
  • Control Measures
  • Operational and Maintenance procedures
  • Emergencies
  • Inspections
  • Record keeping


Contact SEA today for more information.

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