The job hazard analysis is an important safety tool. A job hazard analysis (JHA) or job safety analysis (JSA) breaks down a worker's job into specific tasks. From there each task is broken into specific steps. Each step is then analyzed for hazards that may be present.
Since a job hazard analysis takes time, priorities must be set to determine which jobs should take precedence. Review incident and accident logs to see if certain areas come up more frequently. Employee surveys are another way to track areas of greater concern. A job hazard analysis should be performed as part of setting up a new task, or when the area or task is changed. JHA's should be done after a near miss, or accident.
Video taping the employee at work is an excellent way to determine hazards as each specific task can be viewed multiple times. However, one must be sure that workers being video taped understand this is to make their jobs safer and not a critique of the employee. In fact, employees should be included in the entire process of the JHA. Who better knows the job and the tasks that cause pain or awkward positions? Employees have a better understanding of the task, and may offer clues to hazards. Employees should also be encouraged to offer suggested solutions as they may have found “work-arounds” to minimize the hazard. Include supervisors in the JHA as their input may also be valuable.
While each job task must be broken into steps, an overview of the area must also be analyzed. Is lighting adequate? Are there issues with employee or material handling traffic in the area? Once the overview is complete and any hazards noted, the specific task and each step must be analyzed. Writing down each step is important. Note any hazards for each step. Then work on the recommended solutions. Recommendations should:
Eliminate the hazard if at all possible (add guards, add a hydraulic table, use a non-hazardous alternative to a current chemical, etc.).
Provide administrative controls if the hazard cannot be eliminated (job rotations, changes in the way the tasks are performed, etc.).
Provide proper PPE if engineering and administrative controls aren't adequate to eliminate or control the hazard.
Once the solutions are found and the hazards eliminated or controlled, all employees and supervisors will need to be trained in the new procedures. The task should also be revisited to see if the solutions are working, and reviewed yearly.
Here is an excellent video on job hazard analysis: http://revver.com/video/1385172/introduction-to-the-job-hazard-analysis-process
http://www.safetyworksmaine.com/safe_workplace/safety_management/hazard_analysis.html
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/job-haz.html
http://www.forensicmag.com/articles.asp?pid=243
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3071.html
http://www.the-osha-advisor.com/JHA.html
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