18/06/2017
What is a job hazard analysis?
A job hazard analysis (JHA), also called a job safety analysis (JSA), is a technique to identify the dangers of specific tasks in order to reduce the risk of injury to workers.
Why is a JHA important?
Once you know what the hazards are, you can reduce or eliminate them before anyone gets hurt. The JHA can also be used to investigate accidents and to train workers how to do their jobs safely.
How do I do it?
1. Break the job task into steps.
- Watch the worker do the job and list each step in order.
- Begin each step with a verb, for example, "Turn on the saw.".
- Do not make it too broad or too detailed.
- You may want to photograph or videotape.
-Review the steps with the worker and other workers who do the same job to make sure you have not left anything out.
2. Identify the hazards of each step. For each hazard, ask:
- What can go wrong?
- What are the consequences?
- How could it happen?
- What are other contributing factors?
- How likely is it that the hazard will occur?
3. Review the list of hazards with employees who do the job. Discuss what could eliminate or reduce them.
4. Identify ways to eliminate or reduce the hazards.
- Safer way to do the job
- Describe each step (Be specific don’t use generalizations like "Be Careful)
- Changes in equipment
- Equipment changes, or engineering controls, are the first choice because they can eliminate the hazard (E.g. machine guards, improved lighting, better ventilation)
- Changes in work processes
Administrative controls, or changes in how the task is done, can be used if engineering controls aren't possible (E.g. rotating jobs, changing the steps, training)
- Changes in personal protective protective equipment when engineering and administrative controls aren't possible or don't adequately protect the workers, use personal protective equipment
(E.g. gloves, hearing protection)
