Proactive Safety with Job Hazard Analysis
The traditional, “old school” approach to identifying workplace hazards was often to wait for an incident to occur and then apply a quick fix. However, the industry has learned that this reactive method is ineffective. The best practice method is to set aside time to preemptively identify and analyze hazards in the workplace and address them before anything goes wrong, such as injuries or property damage. Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) or Job Safety Analysis (JSA) is a process that enables you proactively identify, document, and correct hazards that could lead to illness, injury, or damage.
There are many benefits to taking a proactive approach to safety. Of course, the most obvious is improved health and safety for employees. But it also reduces equipment damage, minimizes downtime caused by incidents, boosts employee morale, improves retention, and more. Collaborating with employees to prevent harm creates a safer work environment. Workers appreciate seeing their employer taking tangible steps to maintain their well-being and happiness, a factor that significantly influences safety, quality, productivity, and retention. Additionally, the JHA process often uncovers issues unrelated to safety that, when addressed, help maintain production and quality. So, in essence, it’s a win-win-win situation.
Conducting a hazard analysis is not difficult but requires time and attention to detail. Safety professionals, like those at MEMIC, prefer to break down jobs into key processes. For example, instead of evaluating all forklift operations in one massive JHA, we might focus on the forklift operator unloading a truck and placing materials within the receiving area. This approach breaks the analysis into manageable, “bite-sized” pieces.
A JHA is performed by one or more observers who watch a worker complete a task, taking detailed notes on a JHA form. The form typically has three columns labeled TASK, HAZARD, and ABATEMENT (or similar headings). Some forms also include a quick-reference section with checkboxes for special hazards, general hazards, precautions, and recommended PPE. Tasks are listed in the left column in sequential order, described as thoroughly as possible. Corresponding hazards are noted in the middle column next to their tasks, and abatement measures are recorded in the right column.
When possible, it can be helpful to use video to record the worker performing the task being assessed. This allows for repeated views to catch any missed steps or hazards that were difficult to see during the live observation. It’s also important to remain as unobtrusive as possible to avoid distracting the worker or influencing how they perform their duties.
While performing a JHA, maintain an open mind and avoid disciplinary actions during the process. Involve the employee in discussions about their choices, challenges, and successes in performing their job. Of course, if imminent danger in the task or process is identified, stop the job and reevaluate the ability to continue.
Once task steps and their hazards are identified, determine how to address them. This can involve eliminating the hazard entirely, substituting safer alternatives, applying engineering controls to protect workers, implementing administrative controls to limit exposure, and finally, using personal protective equipment (PPE) as a last line of defense. These abatement actions follow the hierarchy of controls with elimination being the most effective and PPE being the least effective.
After completing the JHA, it’s essential to formally train staff on the new controls. They need to understand what the controls are, why they’re being implemented, and how they benefit both employees and the company. All relevant personnel should sign off on each step of the process from observations through to the training.
For more information, policyholders can register to join MEMIC safety experts on October 9, 2025, for the upcoming webinar: Job Hazard Analysis Fundamentals: Building a Safer Workplace
Related MEMIC blogs:
- OSHA: Job Hazard Analysis
- MEMIC policyholders can access JSA/JHA forms and instructions on the Safety Director
