A job hazard analysis, or JHA, is a practice that is used to look at a specific job and determine what, if any, hazards are associated with it. This type of action takes each job and breaks down the actions performed into a step-by-step list. From there, the person performing the JHA can look closely at each step in the process to determine where the risks may exist. Once hazards are identified, mitigation steps will be developed to help ensure the people who perform that specific job are able to do it safely and effectively.
When going through the JHA and identifying hazards it is important to take the right steps to mitigate those hazards. While it can be tempting to simply issue employees personal protective equipment whenever there is a risk that they face, that should be the last option to consider. It is better, for example, to use engineering controls that eliminate a hazard than it is to try to issue the PPE. There are multiple levels of controls that can be considered for each type of hazard.
Any time that a job function is added or changed, a new JHA should be performed. This will help to ensure that no new risks are introduced that are not properly addressed. Another challenge that can present itself with this type of thing is that different employees often perform the same job in a different way. If a company has multiple shifts running, for example, each one may have their own steps that they take to complete a task. If that is the case, the teams will either need to agree to perform the job in one way, or a separate JHA should be conducted for each shift.
The end goal, of course, is to ensure everyone in a facility can do their job properly and safely so that production can continue efficiently and in compliance with all regulatory requirements.
