JOB HAZARD
ANALYSIS
IDENTIFY A rule of thumb is that most jobs can be described in fewer
Serious incidents are a real threat to construction project sites. If than ten steps. If more are required, the job can be divided
we are managing these situations through trial and error, we are into segments, each with its separate JHA, or steps could be
not doing everything reasonable or practicable. combined where appropriate.
A far better approach is to find out in advance what could This part of the analysis usually involves watching a worker
happen and implement measures to prevent it. That’s where the do the job. The observer is often that person’s supervisor,
job hazard analysis (JHA) comes in. but involving other workers, such as a member of the WSH
committee, reduces the risk of key points being missed.
This is a procedure whereby a task is broken down into basic
steps. These are examined in detail to identify potential hazards The individual being observed should be experienced, safety-
and determine the best way to eliminate or control them. conscious, and capable of doing all steps in the job.
In addition to fewer worker injuries and illnesses, the analysis Once the steps have been recorded, attention turns to
can result in more effective work methods, reduce worker identifying the hazards.
compensation costs, and increase productivity. A JHA is a
valuable tool for training new employees. Some key questions to answer:
• Is there danger of striking against, being struck by, or
These are examples of jobs that typically are given priority incurring other injuries from an object on site?
for JHAs: • Can the worker be caught in or between objects?
• Jobs with the highest injury or illness rate. • Can the worker suffer lacerations from blades or other
• Jobs with the potential to cause severe or disabling sharp objects?
injuries or illness, even if there is no history of previous • Can the worker be pulled into gears, pulleys, or other
incidents. moving machinery parts?
• Jobs in which one simple human error could lead to a • Is there potential for electrical contact to occur?
severe incident or injury. • Is there potential for a slip, trip, or fall?
• Jobs that are new to an operation or have undergone • Are there MSI strain exposures from pushing, pulling,
changes in processes and procedures. reaching, twisting, or lifting?
• Jobs complex enough to require written instructions. • Are there environmental hazards in the form of heat,
• Jobs that have had stop work orders or improvement cold, radiation, noise, vibration, chemicals, gases,
orders issued by workplace safety and health (WSH) vapours, fumes, mists, or dusts?
officers.
• Jobs that have had near misses occur. If so then it’s a matter of determining ways to eliminate or
• Jobs that are performed infrequently. control the hazards that have been identified. Generally, the
options are to:
After a job has been chosen for analysis, the next stage is to • Find a new way to do the job.
break it into its sequence of steps. • Change the conditions that create the hazard
(equipment, materials, or ventilation, for example).
• Change the pace of work or when the job is done.
COMMUNICATE AND CONTROL • Provide task-specific training.
The steps should not be too general, otherwise some hazards • Require appropriate personal protective equipment.
might be missed. On the other hand if steps are too detailed,
there will be too many of them.
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COMMUNICATE AND CONTROL
When conducting a JHA, the applicable workplace safety and
health regulations and standards for a particular industry should
THE QUIZ
be considered. Compliance with these standards is mandatory 1. The best time to conduct a job hazard
and incorporating them into a job hazard analysis helps ensure analysis is after a serious incident has occurred:
that a safety and health program meets federal, provincial, and/ TRUE______ FALSE______
or territorial requirements.
2. Increased worker productivity can be the result of job
Reviewing JHAs periodically will keep them current and able to hazard analysis:
help reduce workplace incidents and injuries. Even if the job YES________ NO________
has not changed, it is possible that during the review process
hazards will be revealed that were not found in the initial 3. Which of these are typically given priority for JHA? (Circle all
analysis. that apply.)
a) Jobs with high injury or illness rates
It is particularly important to review a JHA if an illness or injury b) Jobs that are done indoors
occurs on a specific job, or if a job process changes (a new tool is c) Jobs that are new to an operation or have undergone
purchased, or a new chemical is used). But such incidents should changes in equipment
not be a starting point for developing safe procedures. d) Jobs that are performed infrequently
e) All of the above
4. A JHA should break a task down into no more than 10 steps:
TRUE______ FALSE______
5. Which of these are among hazards that a JHA seeks to
identify?
a) Being struck by an object
b) Being caught in or between objects
c) Slips, trips, and falls
d) Toxic gases or fumes
e) All of the above
6. Changing the pace of work can help control certain hazards:
TRUE______ FALSE______
7. Which of these should be consulted when conducting a JHA?
a) First aid manuals
b) Regulations and standards that apply to the industry
c) Municipal bylaws
d) None of the above
8. Has a JHA been conducted for any of the jobs you do?
_________________________________________________
4. TRUE; 5. e; 6. TRUE; 7. b; 8. Site-specific answer
1. FALSE; 2. YES; 3. a, c, and d;
ANSWERS:
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