What is a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)?

A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)—also known as a Job Safety Analysis (JSA)—is a systematic process used to identify and mitigate hazards associated with specific tasks before they occur.

Why is a JHA Important?

Instead of looking at the workplace as a whole, a JHA breaks down individual jobs into their fundamental steps. By analyzing the relationship between the worker, the task, the tools, and the work environment, safety managers can identify unseen risks and implement controls to eliminate them.

The Four Steps of a JHA

1. Select the job to be analyzed: Prioritize jobs with high injury rates, jobs with the potential for severe injuries, or new jobs where hazards are unknown.
2. Break the job down into steps: Break the task into a logical sequence of individual steps (usually less than 10 steps total).
3. Identify the hazards in each step: Ask "What could go wrong?" For example, could the worker strike an object, be caught in moving parts, or be exposed to chemicals?
4. Determine preventive measures: Develop safe procedures or implement controls (like PPE, machine guarding, or ventilation) to mitigate the identified hazards.