Federal Heat Protection Program Has Expired — But Oregon and Washington Contractors Are Still Covered

OSHA’s national emphasis program on heat-related illness and injury prevention — which had been in effect since April 2022 — officially expired on April 8, 2026, with no public announcement from the current administration about renewal or replacement. While federal enforcement of heat safety is now less certain, contractors in Oregon and Washington are still protected — and required to comply — under state-specific heat illness prevention standards that remain fully in effect regardless of federal action. Oregon OSHA also recently updated its workplace safety directives in early 2026, adding revised protocols for identifying and mitigating high-risk hazards in construction settings. With summer approaching, now is the time for NW contractors to review their heat illness prevention plans, ensure workers have access to water and shade, and verify that acclimatization protocols are in place for new hires.

Source URL: https://ogletree.com/insights-resources/blog-posts/oshas-heat-program-to-expire-while-heat-standard-stalls/