Write a risk assessment for Job hazard analysis

A compliant risk assessment and JHA/JSA process should systematically identify hazards, evaluate the risk of each task step, select controls using the hierarchy of controls, communicate the findings before work begins, and document both the assessment and the mitigation actions taken. A JHA is used to review a job, identify potential hazards, and design actions and procedures to eliminate or control them. It should be treated as a living document and updated when conditions, equipment, personnel, or work methods change. [1] [2] [1]

1. Select and prioritize the jobs to analyze first. Give priority to tasks with injury history, high severity potential, new or modified work, infrequent or non-routine work, permit-required work, and jobs with difficult-to-control hazards or near misses.
2. Involve the right people. Include the employees who perform the work, supervisors, and safety personnel so the analysis reflects actual field conditions and practical controls.
3. Break the job into clear task steps. Observe the work being performed, list each step in sequence, and verify the steps with the workers doing the job.
4. Identify hazards at each step. Consider obvious and less visible hazards such as struck-by, caught-in/between, falls, electrical, chemical, ergonomic, environmental, and behavioral factors; also identify who may be exposed, what could go wrong, what triggers the hazard, and contributing conditions.
5. Evaluate risk for each hazard by considering severity and likelihood/probability, then assign a risk level or priority so the most serious hazards are addressed first.
6. Determine controls for each hazard using the hierarchy of controls, starting with elimination and working downward only as needed. Use combinations of controls where one measure alone is not sufficient.
7. Document the selected controls, responsible persons, implementation dates, and any interim precautions required before permanent controls are completed.
8. Brief the crew before starting work, communicate site-specific hazards and controls, and repeat the briefing if conditions change.
9. Verify effectiveness in the field, monitor whether controls are working, ensure they do not create new hazards, and revise the JHA/risk assessment as needed.

[16] [1] [7] For OSHA alignment, the hazard assessment must determine whether hazards are present or likely to be present and whether PPE is necessary. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1) requires employers to assess the workplace for hazards that necessitate PPE. The documents also emphasize that hazard assessments for PPE must be documented and certified, and that any new PPE requirements should be incorporated into the written safety program. In practice, this means the JHA/risk assessment should clearly show the task, hazards, body parts at risk where relevant, severity, probability, risk code/priority, selected controls, PPE required, assessor, date, and approval or implementation status. [2] [10] [15]

Risk evaluation and prioritization:

• Use a severity-versus-probability method for each task step. Severity may range from fatal/permanent disability to no injury; probability may range from frequent to extremely improbable.
• Assign a risk priority code or equivalent rating such as high, medium, or low.
• High risk: stop or suspend the work until the hazard is eliminated, controlled, or reduced.
• Medium risk: the hazard is unacceptable and controls must be implemented as soon as possible.
• Low risk: limited additional action may be needed, but verify whether any OSHA or other regulatory requirement still mandates protection.

[10] [12] [7] Applying the hierarchy of controls:

1. Elimination: remove the hazard entirely, such as redesigning the work so it is done from the ground instead of at height or deciding the task does not need to be performed in that manner.
2. Substitution: replace the hazard with a less hazardous process, material, tool, or method, such as using a scissor lift instead of a ladder or replacing a solvent-based product with a safer alternative.
3. Engineering controls: isolate people from the hazard through physical changes such as machine guards, enclosures, ventilation, guardrails, or work platforms.
4. Administrative controls: change the way work is organized or performed through procedures, permits, training, scheduling, restricted access, inspections, signage, maintenance, and written safe work practices.
5. PPE: use hazard-specific protective equipment only after higher-level controls have been considered, and as supplemental or temporary protection when needed.

[3] [4] [9] Do not rely on PPE as the primary control when feasible higher-order controls are available. Engineering controls are preferred over administrative controls and PPE, and PPE should be limited to situations where other controls are not practicable, are still being installed, are insufficient by themselves, or where temporary/emergency conditions exist. More than one control method may be necessary for a single hazard, and the chosen controls must be reviewed to confirm they are effective and do not introduce new hazards. [11] [5] [6]

Documentation and mitigation records should include at minimum:

• Job or work activity, location, date, assessor(s), and affected crew or department
• Task steps in sequence
• Hazard description for each step, including source and persons/body parts at risk where applicable
• Potential consequences or harm
• Severity, likelihood/probability, and resulting risk level or priority
• Existing controls already in place
• Recommended or required additional controls, listed in hierarchy-of-controls order
• Required PPE, if any, matched to the specific hazard
• Responsible person for each action and target completion date
• Verification that controls were implemented, communicated, and reviewed for effectiveness
• Certification/sign-off of the hazard assessment where PPE determinations are made

[8] [7] [14] A practical OSHA/OHS-compliant procedure is to integrate the JHA/JSA with pre-job planning and field-level review. Before work, complete the formal assessment and safe work procedure. At the job site, hold a site-specific briefing with the crew, review the JHA, identify any new hazards not captured in the original analysis, confirm controls and PPE, and stop to reassess whenever conditions change. This is especially important for new workers, changed tasks, rarely performed jobs, and permit-required activities such as confined space or hot work. [1] [1] [13]

To document mitigation actions effectively, record not only the hazard and proposed control, but also whether the action is interim or permanent, who is accountable, when it must be completed, and how effectiveness will be verified. The final output of the JHA should be safe written procedures workers can follow, incorporated into the organization’s safety program. Follow-up inspections, incident reviews, and worker feedback should be used to confirm controls remain adequate over time. [11] [3] [6]