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A Culture of Safety: The Job Hazard Analysis

By November 7, 2014August 22nd, 2018

One of the important steps in creating a culture of safety is to utilize the job hazard analysis. A job hazard analysis or JHA identifies potential hazards related to each step of any job or specific task that has the potential to cause serious injury. Supervisors and staff who perform the tasks should work together to develop the analysis. Supervisors are responsible for writing the JHA, keeping it on file, training affected staff, and enforcing work rules. Staff members who actually use the equipment should participate in the analysis because they are the most knowledgeable about the hazards and have direct control over them.

Priority should be given to jobs that have:

  • The highest injury rates
  • The most “near misses”
  • Potential OSHA violations
  • Complex instructions where written procedures would be beneficial

 

The benefits of performing a JHA are that it helps identify previously undetected hazards and increases the job safety knowledge of those participating.  In addition, communication between workers and supervisors is improved and acceptance of safe work procedures and the appropriate identification and use of PPE (personal protective equipment) is promoted.

The job hazard analysis is an invaluable tool for managers and supervisors to use in meeting their obligation to prevent employee exposure to health and safety hazards.   By reducing or eliminating hazards, the result will be fewer accidents and better Workers’ Compensation experience which can mean lower premiums.

You can find an OSHA booklet regarding JHA’s here.  If you have questions or need help getting started, call Aisha Hartford, Director of Client Services at 800-462-6435 for support.