Standards Comparison

    ITIL

    Voluntary
    2019

    Best practices framework for IT service management

    VS

    OSHA

    Mandatory
    1970

    US federal regulation for workplace safety and health

    Quick Verdict

    ITIL provides voluntary best practices for IT service management globally, aligning IT with business via 34 practices. OSHA mandates US workplace safety regulations, enforcing hazard controls and recordkeeping. Companies adopt ITIL for efficiency, OSHA to avoid fines and ensure compliance.

    IT Service Management

    ITIL

    ITIL 4 Service Management Framework

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Service Value System for holistic value co-creation
    • 34 flexible practices across management categories
    • Seven guiding principles directing all decisions
    • Four dimensions balancing people technology partners processes
    • Continual improvement embedded in every activity
    Occupational Safety

    OSHA

    Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • General Duty Clause addresses recognized hazards
    • Hierarchy of controls prioritizes engineering over PPE
    • Mandatory injury recordkeeping and electronic reporting
    • Risk-based inspection prioritization and penalties
    • State plans allow enhanced local standards

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    ITIL Details

    What It Is

    ITIL 4, the leading framework for IT Service Management (ITSM), offers best practices to align IT with business needs. Evolved from 1980s UK government origins, it employs a Service Value System (SVS) for flexible, value-driven service lifecycle management.

    Key Components

    • **SVS elements7 guiding principles, governance, service value chain (6 activities), 34 practices (14 general, 17 service, 3 technical), continual improvement.
    • **Four DimensionsOrganizations & people, information & technology, partners & suppliers, value streams & processes.
    • **CertificationsPeopleCert pathways from Foundation to Strategic Leader.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Drives cost savings, 87% adoption rate, 20% faster resolutions, risk mitigation amid $3M breaches. Enables DevOps/Agile integrations, common language, customer satisfaction, career boosts.

    Implementation Overview

    Voluntary phased adoption via 10-step roadmap: assessment, tailoring, training, CMDB/tools integration. Suits all sizes/industries; focuses contextual customization for digital transformation.

    OSHA Details

    What It Is

    OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is a US federal regulation under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. It enforces workplace safety and health standards primarily via 29 CFR 1910 for general industry. Its purpose is to assure safe working conditions by reducing hazards through standards enforcement, inspections, and cooperative programs. It uses a hierarchy of controls approach: elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, and PPE.

    Key Components

    • Organized into subparts covering walking-working surfaces, hazardous materials, PPE, toxic substances (Subpart Z), emergency plans.
    • General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1)) addresses unrecognized hazards.
    • Recordkeeping (29 CFR 1904): OSHA 300/300A/301 forms, electronic submission.
    • Compliance via inspections, citations, penalties; no certification, but voluntary VPP.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Legal mandate for most US employers to avoid fines up to $165k.
    • Reduces injuries, lowers insurance costs, boosts productivity.
    • Enhances reputation, meets stakeholder ESG demands.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, written programs (IIPP, HazCom), training, audits.
    • Applies to most industries, sizes; state plans may enhance.
    • Ongoing audits, no formal certification required. (178 words)

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ITIL
    IT Service Management lifecycle and practices
    OSHA
    Workplace safety, health hazards, environmental controls

    Industry

    ITIL
    IT organizations worldwide, all sizes
    OSHA
    US private sector industries, general/construction

    Nature

    ITIL
    Voluntary best-practices framework
    OSHA
    Mandatory federal regulations with enforcement

    Testing

    ITIL
    Certifications and audits by PeopleCert
    OSHA
    OSHA inspections and compliance audits

    Penalties

    ITIL
    No legal penalties, certification loss
    OSHA
    Fines up to $165K, citations, shutdowns

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ITIL and OSHA

    ITIL FAQ

    OSHA FAQ

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