In a memorandum to Regional Administrators, OSHA establishes an enforcement initiative to prevent and protect employees from serious heat-related illnesses and deaths while working in hazardous hot indoor or outdoor environments. It expands on the agency’s ongoing heat-related illness prevention campaign by setting forth the enforcement component and reiterating its compliance assistance and outreach efforts. The initiative prioritizes heat-related interventions and inspections of work activities on days when the HEAT INDEX EXCEEDS 80℉. Employers will be encouraged to implement proactive interventions, such as water, rest, and shade, and other important preventive measures such as acclimatization of new or returning workers.
During heat-related inspections, CSHOs should: