SIC Code

What Is an OSHA Compliance SIC Code?

By Sharyl Stockstill , eHow Contributor 

SIC codes are used to identify an industry.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) understands that different industries have different health and safety issues. For example, the construction industry has different concerns involving what is safe when compared to a retail store. To help designate what training in health and safety issues were involved in the different industries, Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes were developed. SIC codes are four-digit codes used to identify an industry.

Benefits
By using a classification system, new businesses can research exactly what training and compliance standards are necessary to operate a safe and healthy work environment. OSHA has investigated and researched the best way to meet the demands of a business while ensuring the safety of the employees. By using a standard classification system, each industry can receive the most up-to-date information and training available from OSHA. 
History
OSHA is a division of the U.S. Department of Labor. Enacted by Congress in 1970, OSHA was designed to ensure that men and women have safe working conditions and access to training, as well as serving as an avenue for reporting unsafe working conditions. look at http://www.osha.gov 
Interaction of Industries
Safety issues can be different when industries interact. For example, in the construction industry, ladder safety states that fall protection must be used when the height is greater than 10 feet. Under the manufacturing industry, the same issue states that when the height is greater than 4 feet, fall protection must be used. If a construction company enters a manufacturing plant for upgrades or improvements, the construction company must use the higher safety standards. In this example, fall protection would be required from the 4-foot level rather than at 10 feet. 
When Accidents Happen
When an accident happens, employers are required to file a report with OSHA. If the accident was a fatality, OSHA inspectors will investigate to see just exactly what went wrong and if it was preventable. This is how new policies and safety procedures are developed. Many of the new policies are developed when a number of employees across the United States all receive the same type of injury in the same industry. OSHA will inspect this type of situation, as well and design training to help eliminate further injuries of the same type. 
SIC Versus NAICS
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is gradually replacing the SIC system. The NAICS system uses six-digit codes rather than the SIC four-digit codes to identify an industry. The first five digits are standardized in the United States, Canada and Mexico. This will help to further classify industries and create standards in North America. 

For Examples :

a. PT. TAM SIC

3711 Motor vehicles and car bodies
5012 Automobiles and other motor vehicles
5511 New and used car dealers
5599 Automotive dealers, n.e.c.

b. PT. CI SIC

5159 Cotton merchants, not members of exchanges—wholesale
5159 Cotton, raw—wholesale
5199 Nondurable goods, n.e.c.
5131 Cotton piece goods--wholesale

source : http://vancouver-webpages.com/global-sic/#50