OSHA
US federal regulation for workplace safety standards
ISO 45001
International standard for occupational health and safety management systems
Quick Verdict
OSHA mandates US workplace safety standards with inspections and fines, while ISO 45001 offers voluntary global OH&S management systems for certification. Companies use OSHA for legal compliance; ISO 45001 for proactive improvement and international credibility.
OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
Key Features
- Mandates General Duty Clause for recognized hazards
- Enforces hierarchy of controls prioritizing engineering
- Codifies industry standards in 29 CFR 1910-1928
- Requires OSHA 300 log recordkeeping and reporting
- Imposes risk-based inspections with civil penalties
ISO 45001
ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
Key Features
- Top management accountability and worker participation
- Risk-based planning with hierarchy of controls
- Operational controls for change and contractors
- Performance evaluation via monitoring and audits
- Continual improvement through PDCA cycle
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
OSHA Details
What It Is
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) is a US federal regulation establishing OSHA to assure safe, healthful working conditions. It covers general industry (29 CFR 1910), construction (1926), maritime, agriculture via performance-based standards and General Duty Clause for recognized hazards.
Key Components
- Subparts addressing hazards: walking surfaces, PPE, HazCom, LOTO, toxic substances.
- **Hierarchy of controlselimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE.
- Recordkeeping (Forms 300/300A/301, ITA submissions).
- Enforcement model with inspections, citations, penalties up to $165k.
Why Organizations Use It
- Legal compliance avoids fines, shutdowns.
- Reduces injuries, workers' comp costs.
- Enhances reputation, productivity, ESG alignment.
- Builds stakeholder trust via proactive prevention.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: gap analysis, written programs (IIPP), training, audits. Applies to most US employers; state plans may enhance. No certification, but ongoing inspections enforce compliance. (178 words)
ISO 45001 Details
What It Is
ISO 45001:2018 is the international standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS), providing a framework to prevent work-related injury, ill health, and improve OH&S performance. It adopts a risk-based approach aligned with the High-Level Structure (Annex SL) and Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle for integrated management systems.
Key Components
- Clauses 4–10: context, leadership/worker participation, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement.
- Core elements: hazard identification, hierarchy of controls, change management, contractor controls, continual improvement.
- No fixed controls; focuses on processes and outcomes.
- Supports voluntary third-party certification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Reduces incidents, legal risks, and costs.
- Enhances leadership accountability and worker engagement.
- Drives resilience, efficiency, and IMS integration.
- Builds reputation and supply-chain competitiveness.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, policy/objectives, training/controls, audits/reviews.
- Scalable for all sizes/sectors globally.
- 6-12 months typical to certification.
Key Differences
| Aspect | OSHA | ISO 45001 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | General industry standards, recordkeeping, enforcement | OH&S management system, risk-based continual improvement |
| Industry | US private sector, all industries, general/construction | All sectors worldwide, scalable to any organization |
| Nature | Mandatory US regulations with inspections/penalties | Voluntary international certification standard |
| Testing | OSHA inspections, injury data submission | Internal audits, management reviews, certification audits |
| Penalties | Civil fines up to $165k, failure-to-abate daily | No legal penalties, loss of certification |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about OSHA and ISO 45001
OSHA FAQ
ISO 45001 FAQ
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