Job Hazard Analysis

Metal forging in Art — *Metal Forging in Art*

What is a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)?

A JHA is a method for identifying and evaluating hazards associated with tasks (steps) with a specific job or activity and eliminating or mitigating them prior to conducting work.

Why conduct a JHA?

A JHA can prevent work-related injuries or illnesses by eliminating or controlling identified hazards. It is a means to ensure that workers have the training, equipment, and supplies to do their jobs safely.

How do I conduct a JHA?

It is best to involve workers who do or will do the jobs being analyzed. Observe a worker perform the job or activity at the location where it is normally done.

A JHA involves doing the following:

Select the job/activity to be analyzed.
Break the job/activity down into a series of tasks.
Identify potential hazards and consequences in each task.
Determine preventive measures to overcome these hazards.

How do I identify jobs for analysis?

Ideally, all jobs/activities should have a JHA. However, jobs/activities with the following conditions should be considered a high priority for analysis.

Jobs/activities with a history of injuries or near misses
High risk jobs/activities with potential for fire, explosion, chemical release, catastrophic equipment failure
Simple human error that could lead to serious injury
New worker doing the job/activity
Jobs/activities that have changed
Infrequently performed jobs/activities
Any job/activity under a safety "work permit” – confined space permit, hot work permit, etc.

How do I break the job into basic tasks?

Break the job/activity into key tasks. Do not be too general and not be too detailed. Use the Job Hazard Analysis template form and the Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) Instructions. Examples of JHAs developed at UW are given in the UW Job Hazard Analysis Library LINK. Take photos as needed to help describe the job tasks.

How do I identify potential hazards?

Identify potential hazards in each job task. For each hazard, ask the questions:

What can go wrong?
What are the consequences?
How could it happen?
What are other contributing factors?
How likely is it that the hazard will occur?

Hazard	Consequence
Working at heights or same level	Slip, trip, or fall
Tools/equipment/ machinery hazards	Injury
Exposed machinery moving parts, pinch points	Injury
Rotating equipment	Injury from entanglement of hair, clothing
Sharp edges	Cuts, scrapes
Fire or explosion	Burns, injury
Noise	Hearing loss
Vibration	Injury
Electricity	Shock, electrocution
Exposure to airborne dusts, fumes, mists, vapors	Adverse health effects
Low oxygen, confined space	Asphyxiation
Contact with hot, toxic, caustic chemical/product	Burns, irritation, other health effects
Exposure to biological agent, bloodborne pathogen	Adverse health effects, infection
Repetitive tasks, working in awkward position	Ergonomic issues
Lifting, pushing, or pulling	Strain
Poor lighting	Vision problems
Falling object	Injury
Radiation exposure	Health effects

How do I control the hazards?

Identify ways to eliminate or minimize the hazards in each task. The best method is to eliminate the hazard at the source. If not possible, control the hazard with engineering controls, safe work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE), or limit worker exposure using administrative controls.

Elimination/Substitution
Eliminate the hazard Use a safer tool, product, or less hazardous chemical Change the process
Engineering Controls
Install guards on machine moving parts Ventilate the area Use local exhaust Secondary containment (berms, vaults) Detection and alarm systems Interlocks and notification Guardrails (permanent or temporary) Emergency showers/eyewash	Pressure relief Fire protection - sprinklers and alarm Fire extinguisher Isolate the area (barriers) Insulate noisy equipment Place temporary guardrail to prevent fall Improve lighting
Safe Work Practices
Develop written work procedures (SOPs and JHAs) and ensure use Use safe work practices and PPE Training Use fall protection work plan Use scaffold or lift instead of ladder Use platform ladder instead of regular step ladder	Work permits (LOTO, PRCS entry) Use tool lanyards at heights Spill kits Emergency response team Exposure control plan
Administrative Controls
Schedule work to minimize hazards Rotate workers

What type of PPE is needed for a hazard that cannot be eliminated or minimized with controls?

Safety glasses/goggles/face shield
Gloves (specify type)
Skin protection (lab coat/Tyvek suit)
Respiratory protection
Fall protection
Hearing protection
Hard hat
Impact shielding
Radiation shielding

What do I do when the JHA is completed?

Ensure equipment and supplies are acquired to perform the job/activity according to the JHA.
Train workers in the procedures, controls, and PPE according to the JHA.
Review the JHA periodically and update it when the job/activity or equipment changes. Revise JHA as needed and retrain employees on the revised JHA.
Consult EH&S to review JHAs as needed.
Please send EH&S your completed JHA so we can add it to the UW JHA Library (coming soon) to help others do similar jobs safely.