The NEP was set to expire on April 8, 2025. The extension allows OSHA to continue identifying and addressing heat-related injuries and illnesses in workplaces. The NEP enforcement initiative includes policies and procedures for implementing a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to ensure that employees in high-hazard industries are protected from heat-related hazards, both indoors and outdoors, that may lead to serious illnesses, injuries, or death.
Targeted sectors include manufacturing, wholesalers, restaurants, retail, bakeries, landscaping, and construction. OSHA launched the NEP in 2022 in response to rising rates of heat-related injuries and fatalities and as part of a broader initiative to address the effects of climate change on worker safety. The NEP directs OSHA compliance safety and health officers to proactively conduct inspections and provide outreach to employers in high-risk industries, especially during warmer months.