STS Safety Trained Supervisor Exam

Job Safety Hazard Analysis (JSHA), also known as Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) or Job Safety Analysis (JSA), is a systematic process used to identify potential hazards associated with each step of a job task and to determine the best ways to perform the job safely. The primary purpose is to integrate accepted safety and health principles and practices into a particular task or job operation. This proactive approach helps prevent workplace injuries and illnesses before they occur.

Priority should be given to jobs that have a history of accidents or near misses, jobs that have the potential to cause severe injuries or illnesses, newly established jobs where hazards may not be evident, modified jobs where new hazards may have been introduced, and infrequently performed jobs where workers may not be familiar with all hazards. Consider selecting jobs based on injury frequency rates, severity potential, and new or changed operations.

Observe the job being performed and break it down into a sequence of steps. Each step should describe what is done rather than how it is done. Avoid making the steps too general or too detailed. A typical job analysis should have between five and fifteen steps. Document steps in the correct sequence and verify accuracy with workers who perform the job regularly.

For each step, identify all potential hazards that could cause injury or illness. Consider hazards such as struck-by, struck-against, caught-in, caught-on, caught-between, contact with hazardous materials, exposure to harmful substances, slip and fall, trip hazards, overexertion, electrical shock, burns, and environmental hazards. Ask questions such as what could go wrong, what are the consequences, how could the hazard arise, and what factors contribute to the hazard.

For each identified hazard, develop recommended safe procedures and protective measures. The hierarchy of controls should guide the selection of controls. Consider engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. Document specific actions workers should take to eliminate or reduce each hazard.

A complete JSHA document should include the job title, department, date of analysis, names of analyst and reviewers, required personal protective equipment, list of job steps in sequence, hazards associated with each step, and recommended preventive measures for each hazard. Organizations should maintain JSHA records and review them periodically, especially after incidents occur or when job tasks change.

Regular job safety hazard analysis identifies existing and potential hazards, determines the best way to perform a job safely, eliminates or reduces hazards through systematic evaluation, creates documentation for training new employees, serves as a basis for safety observations and inspections, and demonstrates employer commitment to workplace safety.