Improve the JHA Process
Periodically reviewing your job hazard analysis ensures that it remains current and continues to help reduce workplace accidents and injuries. Even if the job has not changed, it is possible that during the review process you will identify hazards that were not identified in the initial analysis.
It is particularly important to review your job hazard analysis if an illness or injury occurs on a specific job. Based on the circumstances, you may determine that you need to change the job procedure to prevent similar incidents in the future. If an employee’s failure to follow proper job procedures results in a “close call,” discuss the situation with all employees who perform the job and remind them of proper procedures.
- It may also be possible that the problem is with the procedure. Maybe it needs to be changed. Talk with employees about their reasons for the apparent unsafe behavior. You might be surprised to learn they have been “trapped” into doing the job that way.
- On the other hand, discipline may be appropriate if the safety management system has not failed the employee (the employer is meeting all safety obligations).
Any time you revise a job hazard analysis, it is important to train all employees affected by the changes in the new job methods, procedures, or protective measures adopted.
Tips to Improve the JHA
To improve the JHAs and its related SJP, think about the “ergonomics” of the job. Find ways to further reduce lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, throwing, holding, twisting, or jobs using force. A SJP should remove any unnecessary actions and prevent the need to do things more than once if possible. There should be as little heavy carrying as possible and also include rest breaks if needed. If feasible, provide mechanical aids such as hoists, adjustable workbenches, and hooks. Make sure tools and equipment are positioned so that they are in easy reach.
A solid JHA improvement process will make good use of the experience and knowledge of:
- workers who have been using the JHA procedures,
- subject matter experts (SMEs) from various safety and health specialties, and
- OSHA consultants (they’re free and confidential!).
Workers provide valuable experience in the procedure. SMEs provide a level of involvement as experts in their field. They can effectively review the jobs and the hazards identified to determine the proper set of controls required. Workers and SMEs can also help improve the methods to communicate instructions or procedures.
Any time you revise a job hazard analysis, it is important to train all employees affected by the changes in the new job methods, procedures, or protective measures adopted.
Take a Team Approach
To further improve the quality of your JHA program, you may want to establish a formal JHA Team.
The JHA Team should consist of a diverse membership including:
- the first line supervisor, or designee, of the affected area as team leader
- employees experienced in the job that the JHA will be conducted on – if this is a new type of job experienced employees will probably not be available
- additional subject matter, expert resources as needed to evaluate the job, including, but not limited to the area safety engineer, industrial hygienist, safety manager, fire protection officer, emergency preparedness coordinator, or safety observer, etc.
Team Responsibilities
The JHA Team might be responsible for:
- developing a JHA by defining the key steps of each job, identifying the potential hazards of each key step and recommending safe practices (e.g., engineering controls, administrative controls, etc.) to eliminate or reduce each hazard/exposure;
- conducting the JHA to determine effectiveness of steps, identifying hazards, and recommending preventive measures for the selected procedure;
- recommending any changes required to facilitate personnel safety; including, but not limited to, specific procedures, policies, equipment, training, etc., that may be involved; and
- providing the appropriate manager with a completed copy of the JHA.
