OSHA
U.S. federal regulation assuring workplace safety standards
ISO 28000
International standard for supply chain security management systems.
Quick Verdict
OSHA mandates US workplace safety through enforced standards and inspections, while ISO 28000 provides voluntary global supply chain security frameworks via certification. Companies adopt OSHA for legal compliance; ISO 28000 for resilience and market trust.
OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
Key Features
- Mandates General Duty Clause for recognized hazards
- Hierarchy of controls prioritizing engineering solutions
- 29 CFR 1910 standards for general industry
- Risk-based inspection prioritization and penalties
- Electronic injury reporting via Injury Tracking Application
ISO 28000
ISO 28000:2022 Security management systems — Requirements
Key Features
- Risk-based supply chain security management system
- PDCA cycle for continual improvement
- Supplier and third-party interdependency controls
- Integration with ISO HLS standards
- Proportional controls and incident response plans
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
OSHA Details
What It Is
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), established by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, is a U.S. federal regulation enforcing workplace safety and health standards. Its primary purpose is assuring safe conditions by reducing hazards, primarily through 29 CFR 1910 for general industry. It uses a risk-based approach with the General Duty Clause and hierarchy of controls.
Key Components
- Subparts covering walking-working surfaces, PPE, hazardous materials, toxic substances (Subpart Z).
- Over 30 subparts with PELs, recordkeeping (Part 1904), enforcement procedures.
- Core principles: hierarchy of controls, performance-based standards, state plans.
- Compliance via inspections, citations, no formal certification but VPP voluntary recognition.
Why Organizations Use It
- Legal requirement under OSH Act for most U.S. employers.
- Mitigates penalties up to $165K, reduces injuries/illnesses.
- Lowers workers' comp costs, boosts productivity, enhances reputation.
- Builds stakeholder trust, supports ESG goals.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, written programs (IIPP, HazCom), training, audits.
- Applies to private sector, various sizes/industries; state variations.
- Ongoing inspections, electronic ITA reporting; no central certification.
ISO 28000 Details
What It Is
ISO 28000:2022 is an international certification standard specifying requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving a security management system (SMS) focused on supply chain security and resilience. It uses a risk-based, PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) approach to manage threats like theft, sabotage, and disruptions across supply chains.
Key Components
- Clauses 4-10 cover context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, and improvement.
- Emphasizes risk assessment, controls (physical, personnel, procedural), incident response, and supplier governance.
- Built on ISO High Level Structure (HLS) for integration; no fixed controls, proportional to risks.
- Optional third-party certification via accredited bodies per ISO 28003.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mitigates operational risks, reduces incidents/insurance costs.
- Meets contractual/regulatory drivers (e.g., C-TPAT equivalents), enables trade facilitation.
- Builds stakeholder trust, competitive edge in logistics/manufacturing.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, risk assessment, controls deployment, audits (6-36 months scalable by size).
- Applies to all sizes/industries with supply chains; involves mapping, training, continual improvement.
Key Differences
| Aspect | OSHA | ISO 28000 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Workplace safety, health hazards, recordkeeping | Supply chain security management systems |
| Industry | All US industries, general/construction/agriculture | Logistics, manufacturing, any supply chain |
| Nature | Mandatory US federal regulations, enforced | Voluntary international certification standard |
| Testing | Inspections, recordkeeping audits by OSHA | Internal audits, third-party certification audits |
| Penalties | Civil fines up to $165k, criminal for willful | No legal penalties, loss of certification |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about OSHA and ISO 28000
OSHA FAQ
ISO 28000 FAQ
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