Summer is upon us, and for operations managers running warehouses, distribution centers, and logistics hubs, that means one thing beyond peak volumes: heat.
Extreme heat is one of the most underestimated hazards on the warehouse floor, and it is about to get a lot more regulatory attention.
OSHA has been working for years to establish the country’s first formal federal heat illness prevention standard. While the proposed federal heat standard remains under review and may continue to evolve, employers are already responsible for addressing environmental hazards that could impact worker safety. Under OSHA’s General Duty Clause, organizations are expected to take reasonable steps to protect employees from recognized risks associated with both hot and cold working environments.
In this article, we focus on heat and explain the current status, what the proposed rule would require, why warehouses face elevated risk, and the steps you can take now to protect your workforce and operations.
Heat-related illness is the leading cause of weather-related death in the United States. Between 2011 and 2022, there were:
Warehouses often underestimate risk because heat is not always obvious indoors. But enclosed buildings, metal roofs, equipment heat, and limited airflow can create dangerous conditions quickly.
Historically, OSHA has relied on the General Duty Clause to address heat hazards.
In August 2024, OSHA released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for a federal heat standard covering both indoor and outdoor work environments. Public engagement has been extensive, with tens of thousands of comments and formal hearings through 2025.
As of 2026:
Additionally, several states already enforce heat standards, including California, Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, and Colorado.
OSHA’s proposed framework is based on heat index thresholds:
|
Area |
Proposed Expectations |
|
80°F Heat Index Trigger |
Water access, rest breaks, cooling areas, supervisor training, heat monitoring |
|
90°F Heat Index Trigger |
Mandatory paid breaks, active symptom monitoring, increased supervision, communication protocols |
|
Heat Illness Prevention Plan (HIIP) |
Written procedures for heat assessment, response, acclimatization, and training |
|
Acclimatization |
Gradual exposure plans for new and returning workers over 7–14 days |
|
Training |
Worker education on symptoms, prevention, reporting, and emergency response |
Even without a finalized rule, OSHA continues to ensure heat safety.
Recent enforcement activity includes:
Warehouse environments combine several risk factors that increase heat exposure, including:
Large metal roofs, limited ventilation, and inconsistent airflow can trap heat throughout the facility.
Forklifts, conveyors, chargers, and machinery continuously add heat to the work environment.
Lifting, unloading, picking, and repetitive movement increase internal body temperature and accelerate heat stress.
Seasonal and newly onboarded workers are often more vulnerable because they may not yet be acclimated to hot conditions.
You don’t need to wait for regulation to act. Here are some of the heat prevention steps you can take now to ensure a safe working environment:
Whether dealing with extreme heat during summer operations or cold-weather exposure in certain environments, employers are responsible for evaluating and addressing workplace temperature-related hazards. Proactive planning, training, environmental monitoring, and workforce communication all play an important role in reducing risk and supporting safer operations.
At Eclipse Advantage, we help warehouse and distribution operations implement workforce strategies that support both operational performance and worker safety, especially during high-demand summer conditions. Connect with our team to learn how we can support your facility.