OSHA's heat National Emphasis Program is not a future risk. It is active right now and runs through April 8, 2026. Inspectors are already evaluating heat risk during routine site visits, according to OSHA's 2026 enforcement priorities.
If you operate warehouses, distribution centers, or retail locations with back-of-house environments, your facilities are in scope.
What Changed
OSHA enforcement in 2026 stays aggressive and documentation-heavy. Inspections are no longer just about what is happening on the floor. They evaluate how quickly and clearly you can show that heat safety is being managed, according to OSHA compliance analysis.
A separate update: OSHA now allows third-party representatives, including worker advocates and safety professionals, to accompany inspectors during worksite visits. This means inspections may surface issues that internal audits miss.
What Inspectors Are Looking For
- Documented heat illness prevention plans specific to each facility type
- Evidence of water, rest, and shade availability during high-heat periods
- Training records proving workers know the signs of heat illness
- Monitoring protocols: how you track temperature and humidity in work areas
- Incident response procedures for heat-related emergencies
What to Do This Week
Immediate (before April 8):
- Verify that every warehouse, DC, and back-of-house location has a written heat illness prevention plan on file
- Confirm water stations, shade structures, and rest break schedules are documented and accessible
- Audit training records. If your last heat safety training was more than 12 months ago, schedule a refresher now
- Check that HVAC systems in enclosed work areas are serviced and functional. A failed exhaust fan in a loading dock is now a compliance exposure, not just a comfort issue
Ongoing:
- Add heat risk assessment to your spring PM checklist
- Include temperature/humidity monitoring in warehouse and DC walk-throughs
- Document everything. OSHA's 2026 approach rewards organized recordkeeping