One of the best ways to protect workers in a particular job is to conduct a job hazard analysis. This simple but powerful technique identifies hazards before they occur, focusing on the relationships among the worker, task, tools and equipment, and the work environment.
Once you’ve identified job hazards, you can eliminate or reduce them to an acceptable risk level. This is a relatively easy task, although it takes time to analyze hazards for each job category and each step in the job. You also have to do some digging into past performance.
Priority should go to jobs with the highest injury or illness rates; the potential to cause severe or disabling injuries or illness through simple human error; tasks complex enough to require written instructions; or jobs that have undergone changes in processes and procedures. For information about related coverage options, see Safety Inspector Insurance.
Involve employees
Their unique understanding of the job can be invaluable for finding hazards. Involving employees will help minimize oversights, ensure quality analysis, and get workers to buy in to the solutions because they’ll share ownership in their safety and health program.
Review accident history
This includes the workplace record of accidents and occupational illnesses, accident damage that required repair or replacement, and any near misses. These are indicators that existing hazard controls might be inadequate and need more scrutiny.
Conduct a preliminary job review
Discuss with employees the hazards they know exist in their work and surroundings. Brainstorm with them for ideas to eliminate or control these perils, and take immediate action if any hazards pose an immediate danger to an employee’s life or health.
List, rank, and set priorities
List jobs with hazards that present unacceptable risks, based on those most likely to occur and with the most severe consequences. Make these jobs your first priority for analysis.
Outline steps or tasks
Nearly every job can be broken down into job tasks or steps. When beginning a job hazard analysis, watch the employee perform the job and list each step; it might help to photograph or video the worker performing the job so you have visual records for later review.
Record enough information to describe each job action without getting bogged down in details. Avoid making the breakdown so detailed that it becomes unnecessarily long or so broad that it fails to include basic steps. Review the job steps with the employee to make sure you haven’t omitted anything, and stress that you’re evaluating the job itself, not the employee’s job performance.
Identify hazards
List the hazards you identified in the preliminary review and any additional hazards you discovered when observing the employee, and associate each hazard with the specific step or task involved in the job.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a job hazard analysis (JHA)?
A job hazard analysis is a systematic process to identify hazards in a specific job, break the job into steps, and determine controls to eliminate or reduce risks.
Who should participate in a JHA?
Employees who perform the job, supervisors, and safety personnel should participate to ensure practical knowledge and buy-in for controls.
How often should a JHA be updated?
Update a JHA when processes, equipment, or materials change, after incidents or near misses, and periodically as part of routine safety reviews.
What should be included in each job step analysis?
Identify the task step, associated hazards, potential consequences, and recommended controls or safe work practices for each step.