OSHA
U.S. federal regulation assuring workplace safety standards
PMBOK
Global standard for project management principles and practices
Quick Verdict
OSHA mandates workplace safety compliance through enforceable standards and inspections for US employers, while PMBOK provides voluntary project management principles and processes globally. Companies adopt OSHA to avoid penalties; PMBOK to standardize delivery and boost success rates.
OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
Key Features
- Enforces General Duty Clause against recognized hazards
- Codifies 29 CFR 1910 standards for general industry
- Mandates hierarchy of controls prioritizing engineering
- Requires OSHA 300/300A/301 injury recordkeeping
- Imposes risk-based inspections and civil penalties
PMBOK
Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)
Key Features
- Five Process Groups for project lifecycle management
- Ten Knowledge Areas spanning management disciplines
- ITTO framework defining process inputs and outputs
- Tailoring guidance for predictive, agile, hybrid approaches
- 12 Principles and performance domains for value delivery
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 primarily in 29 CFR 1910 for general industry. Its purpose is to assure safe conditions by reducing hazards through standards enforcement, inspections, and the General Duty Clause for recognized serious risks. It uses a performance-based, risk-hierarchy approach.
Key Components
- Organized into subparts covering walking surfaces, PPE, hazardous materials, toxic substances (Subpart Z).
- Over 30 subparts with PELs, medical surveillance, recordkeeping.
- Core principles: hierarchy of controls, employer/employee duties, state plans.
- Compliance via inspections, citations, no formal certification but VPP voluntary recognition.
Why Organizations Use It
Legal mandate under OSH Act prevents penalties up to $165,000 per willful violation, reduces injuries/costs, enhances reputation. Mitigates risks like fatalities, supports ESG, improves productivity via prevention programs.
Implementation Overview
Phased: gap analysis, written IIPPs, training, engineering controls. Applies to most U.S. private employers; ongoing via audits, electronic ITA reporting. Tailored by size/industry.
PMBOK Details
What It Is
PMBOK® Guide (Project Management Body of Knowledge), published by PMI, is a global standard and guide for project management practices. It provides principles, performance domains, and processes for delivering projects across industries, emphasizing tailoring for predictive, agile, or hybrid approaches.
Key Components
- **Five Process GroupsInitiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, Closing.
- **Ten Knowledge AreasIntegration, Scope, Schedule, Cost, Quality, Resource, Communications, Risk, Procurement, Stakeholder.
- ITTOs (Inputs, Tools & Techniques, Outputs) for ~49 processes.
- 12 Principles and performance domains in 7th/8th editions; voluntary certification like PMP.
Why Organizations Use It
- Improves predictability, reduces risks, aligns with strategy.
- Supports compliance via embedded controls; boosts reputation.
- Enables value delivery, stakeholder trust, competitive edge.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: assessment, tailoring, pilots, rollout, audits.
- Involves training, PMO setup, tools; suits all sizes/industries; no mandatory audits.
Key Differences
| Aspect | OSHA | PMBOK |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Workplace safety, health standards, enforcement | Project management processes, principles, governance |
| Industry | All US industries, general/construction/agriculture | All industries worldwide, project-based organizations |
| Nature | Mandatory federal regulation with inspections | Voluntary global standard and best practices guide |
| Testing | OSHA inspections, recordkeeping audits | Internal audits, maturity assessments, self-tailoring |
| Penalties | Civil fines up to $165k, failure-to-abate daily | No penalties, loss of certification or reputation |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about OSHA and PMBOK
OSHA FAQ
PMBOK FAQ
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