A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is a process to identify potential hazards associated with job tasks and determine the safest way to perform the task. The goal is to improve worker safety by recognizing and controlling hazards before they cause injuries or accidents. [3]
Here are the key components of a JHA:
- Task breakdown: Break the job down into specific tasks or steps.
- Hazard identification: Analyze each step to identify potential hazards (e.g., electrical, chemical, physical, ergonomic hazards).
- Risk control measures: Develop control measures to eliminate or reduce risks, such as using personal protective equipment (PPE), changing work procedures, or using safer equipment.
[3] For welding carbon steel, potential hazards include exposure to welding fumes and gases, and to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Safety hazards include burns, eye damage, electrical shock, cuts, and fire. Many of these hazards can be controlled with elimination and substitution controls, engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment (PPE). [1]
To determine risk, consider both probability and severity. Use the criteria and ratings within probability and severity tables to determine the overall risk of a task. [4]
To write a safe job procedure:
- Write in a step-by-step format.
- If no hazard or possible unsafe behavior exists in a step, just state the action.
- If a hazard does exist in a step, state the action, identify the hazard, the possible injury it could cause, and safety measures to prevent the injury.
- Write clearly as possible using simple words and short sentences.
Important Safety Note:
Always verify safety information with your organization's specific guidelines and local regulations.