OSHA Expands Heat Safety Inspections to 55 High-Risk Industries
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration updated its National Emphasis Program in April 2026. The program now focuses heat safety inspections on 55 high-risk industries, including HVAC contractors. It targets both outdoor and indoor heat hazards based on injury data from 2022-2025 collected by OSHA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Industries were selected based on high rates of heat-related illness and previous citations or hazard alert letters issued to employers in those sectors.
HVAC contractors now face higher odds of heat-related workplace inspections. This is especially true when technicians work in attics, on rooftops, or inside mechanical rooms during warm months. Companies without documented heat illness prevention programs could face citations. This affects both field operations and how you schedule work during peak temperature periods.
Review your current heat safety protocols. Create a written heat illness prevention program if you don't have one. Include water access requirements, rest break schedules, acclimatization procedures for new workers, and emergency response steps for heat illness symptoms.
Key Takeaways:
- OSHA's updated program targets 55 industries with high heat-related illness rates
- HVAC contractors face increased inspection risk for indoor and outdoor work
- Written heat illness prevention programs now essential to avoid citations
- Program uses 2022-2025 injury data to direct inspection priorities
Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
