The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a directive on April 10, 2026, which revises its implementation of a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to protect employees from outdoor and indoor heat-related hazards.

Among the NEP’s revisions is an updated list of targeted industries for programmed inspections on days that the National Weather Service has announced a heat warning or advisory for the local area. One of the newly targeted industries is NAICS Code 6241 – Individual and Family Services, which may include adult day care, companion services, and home care. OSHA’s regional or area offices must implement a 90-day outreach program for newly targeted industries before any programmed inspections. The NEP includes new appendices on the evaluation of an employer’s heat illness and injury program and guidance for issuing citations for heat-related hazards. The revised NEP is in effect for 5 years.

The NEP, which is a temporary program that focuses OSHA’s resources on particular hazards and high-hazard industries, is separate and apart from OSHA’s ongoing rulemaking on Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. The proposed rule was issued on August 30, 2024 and would establish a new programmatic standard that would require employers to create a plan to evaluate and control heat hazards in their workplace. Among other things, the plan would require employers to evaluate heat risks and, when heat increases risks to workers, implement requirements for drinking water, rest breaks, and control of indoor heat. The rule would apply to employers in all industries, but certain work activities would not be covered, such as activities performed in indoor work areas where air conditioning consistently keeps the ambient temperature below 80°F.

LeadingAge submitted comments on the proposed rule, requesting that the standard provide greater flexibility when possible, given the challenges of implementing the proposed standard where aging services are provided to individuals in their home. OSHA has yet to issue a final rule.