OSHA
US federal regulation for workplace safety standards
WCAG
International standard for accessible web content.
Quick Verdict
OSHA mandates workplace safety through enforced standards and inspections for US employers, while WCAG provides voluntary web accessibility guidelines adopted as legal benchmarks globally. Companies implement OSHA to avoid fines; WCAG to prevent lawsuits and expand markets.
OSHA
29 CFR 1910 Occupational Safety and Health Standards
Key Features
- General Duty Clause enforces hazard-free workplaces
- Hierarchy of controls prioritizes engineering solutions
- Mandatory OSHA 300 injury recordkeeping and reporting
- Risk-based inspections targeting high-hazard industries
- Performance-based standards with state plan flexibility
WCAG
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2
Key Features
- POUR principles organize accessibility requirements
- Testable success criteria at A/AA/AAA levels
- Technology-agnostic and backward-compatible design
- Conformance for full pages and processes
- Informative techniques and documented failures
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
OSHA Details
What It Is
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is a US federal agency under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, enforcing occupational safety standards in 29 CFR 1910 for general industry. Its primary purpose is assuring safe, healthful working conditions via standards, enforcement, and the General Duty Clause for recognized hazards. It uses a performance-based, risk-hierarchy approach prioritizing elimination and engineering controls.
Key Components
- Organized into Subparts A-Z covering walking surfaces, PPE, HazCom, LOTO, toxic substances.
- **Hierarchy of controlselimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE.
- Recordkeeping (OSHA 300/300A/301 forms, electronic ITA submission).
- Enforcement model with inspections, citations, penalties up to $165k.
Why Organizations Use It
- Legal compliance avoids fines, shutdowns, litigation.
- Reduces injuries, workers' comp costs, boosts productivity.
- Enhances reputation, meets ESG, enables market access.
- Builds stakeholder trust via proactive prevention.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, written programs (IIPP), training, audits.
- Applies to most US private employers; state plans vary.
- No certification, but ongoing inspections enforce compliance.
WCAG Details
What It Is
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is the W3C's globally recognized, technology-agnostic framework for web content accessibility. It provides testable success criteria under POUR principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust) to ensure digital experiences meet diverse disability needs.
Key Components
- Four POUR principles organizing 13 guidelines
- ~90 success criteria at Levels A, AA, AAA
- Normative criteria separated from evolvable techniques
- Conformance requires full pages, processes, accessibility-supported tech, non-interference
Why Organizations Use It
- Aligns with regulations (ADA, Section 508, EN 301 549, EAA)
- Mitigates litigation risks amid rising lawsuits
- Boosts usability, SEO, conversions (e.g., 23% uplift)
- Enhances reputation, market reach, stakeholder trust
Implementation Overview
Phased: governance/policy, assessment, remediation via design systems/CI/CD, training, hybrid testing (automated/manual/user). Applies universally; no certification but VPAT/ACR for procurement. Continuous via monitoring/audits.
Key Differences
| Aspect | OSHA | WCAG |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Workplace safety, health hazards, recordkeeping | Web content accessibility for disabilities |
| Industry | All US industries, general/construction/agriculture | All web publishing organizations globally |
| Nature | Mandatory US federal regulations, enforced inspections | Voluntary W3C guidelines, legal benchmark |
| Testing | OSHA inspections, injury logs, compliance audits | Automated scans, manual audits, user testing |
| Penalties | Civil fines up to $165k, failure-to-abate daily | Litigation settlements, no direct fines |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about OSHA and WCAG
OSHA FAQ
WCAG FAQ
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