Job Safety Analysis - JSA
Job Hazard Analysis - JHA

Job Safety Analysis (JSA’s) is a process of determining physical requirements, environmental conditions and safety factors relating to a specific job or task. JSA’s are best used for stationary or repetitive production tasks or product movement, in which the job, equipment and work environment change very little.

A job hazard analysis is a technique that focuses on job tasks as a way to identify hazards before they occur. It focuses on the relationship between the worker, the task, the tools, and the work environment. Ideally, after you identify uncontrolled hazards, you will take steps to eliminate or reduce them to an acceptable risk level.
 

Also See: Ergonomics Section

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What is the value of a job hazard analysis?

Supervisors can use the findings of a job hazard analysis to eliminate and prevent hazards in their workplaces. This is likely to result in fewer worker injuries and illnesses; safer, more effective work methods; reduced workers' compensation costs; and increased worker productivity. The analysis also can be a valuable tool for training new employees in the steps required to perform their jobs safely.

For a job hazard analysis to be effective, management must demonstrate its commitment to safety and health and follow through to correct any uncontrolled hazards identified. Otherwise, management will lose credibility and employees may hesitate to go to management when dangerous conditions threaten them.

What jobs are appropriate for a job hazard analysis?

A job hazard analysis can be conducted on many jobs in your workplace. Priority should go to the following types of jobs:

Jobs with the highest injury or illness rates;

Jobs with the potential to cause severe or disabling injuries or illness, even if there is no history of previous accidents;

Jobs in which one simple human error could lead to a severe accident or injury;

Jobs that are new to your operation or have undergone changes in processes and procedures; and

Jobs complex enough to require written instructions.
 

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Job Safety Analysis or JSA is simply a procedure used to review job methods and uncover hazards that may have been overlooked in the layout of the plant or building and in the design of the machinery, equipment, tools, work stations and processes, or that may have developed after production started, or that resulted from changes in work procedures or personnel. It's one of the first steps in hazard and accident analysis and in safety training.

It's really simple. Once the hazards are known, the proper solutions can be developed. Some solutions may be physical changes that eliminate or control the hazard, such as placing a safeguard over exposed moving machine parts. Others may be job procedures that eliminate or minimize the hazard.

Most of the information needed for a Job Saety Analysis, such as environmental conditions, physical requirements and required personal protective equipment is very easy to determine.  The more difficult part is listing the steps for a particular task and identifying the necessary safety steps.  A Job Safety Analysis is not difficult to perform. You can make up your own form, for your specific equipment, processes or machinery.

Job Safety Analysis Worksheet. Use this information to actually create a Job Safety Analysis Training Guide, for training employees.

The training guide is the result of analyzing each specific job in your organization, so when it comes time for training, all the information relating to the job and the safe method of completing the job is documented. This training guide can serve as a checklist for documentation of the training. It can be completed by the person conducting the training, or the individual's supervisor, to ensure all safety aspects, potential hazards and recommended safe job procedures are explained to the individual being trained.

Many companies fail to use Job Safety Analysis because it takes time and effort to analyze each specific piece of equipment and job. The truth of the matter is, it's more cost effective to perform Job Safety Analysis because it saves time, money and certainly reduces accidents and injuries. JSA gives individuals training in safe, efficient procedures. It increases safety awareness, it improves job training, especially for new employees
and overall improves productivity. It's worth the time and effort you spend in analyzing each specific job.