OSHA rules
OSHA heat rule: still a proposal
OSHA proposed a federal heat standard on August 30, 2024. Hearings ended in 2025, and OSHA's regulatory agenda now lists a supplemental proposal for December 2026 and final action for October 2027. Until then there is no federal heat standard.
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Heat stress science is tested (heat illness signs, acclimatization, WBGT). The proposed rule's triggers and duties aren't, because it isn't final.
Judged against ASP11, CSP11 and CHST5, the outlines in effect on October 16, 2026.
- Status
- Proposed. Supplemental proposal listed for December 2026
- From
- OSHA
- Citation
- 89 FR 70698; RIN 1218-AD39
- Last checked
- October 16, 2026
Key dates
- October 27, 2021Advance notice of proposed rulemaking
- August 30, 2024Proposed rule published
- January 14, 2025Extended comment period closes
- June 16, 2025Informal public hearing begins (through July 2, 2025)
- October 30, 2025Extended post-hearing comment period closes
- April 10, 2026OSHA updates its heat National Emphasis Program (CPL 03-00-024)
- December 2026 (expected)Supplemental proposed rule (regulatory agenda)
- October 2027 (expected)Final action (regulatory agenda)
What the proposal would do
The 2024 proposal would apply to outdoor and indoor work in general industry, construction, maritime and agriculture, with some exceptions. It is a programmatic standard: employers would need a plan to evaluate and control heat hazards in their workplace.
What applies today
- No federal heat standard exists yet. OSHA cites heat hazards under the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act.
- OSHA's updated National Emphasis Program (April 10, 2026) directs inspections to 55 high-risk industries and runs for five years.
- OSHA notes that California, Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington have their own heat rules.
What a supplemental proposal means
OSHA's regulatory agenda lists a supplemental proposed rule before any final rule. That means a revised proposal and another public comment period, so the final requirements may differ from the 2024 text. Dates in a regulatory agenda are targets and often slip.
Practice what's tested now
Sources
- Federal Register: Heat Injury and Illness Prevention, proposed rule (Aug 30, 2024)
- Federal Register: post-hearing comment period extended (Sept 25, 2025)
- Reginfo.gov: Unified Agenda entry, RIN 1218-AD39
- U.S. Department of Labor: heat National Emphasis Program update (Apr 10, 2026)
- OSHA: heat overview
Published October 16, 2026. Last checked against these sources October 16, 2026. Something out of date? Email hello@passcited.com.