What is a JSA?
A Job Safety Analysis (JSA) is the process of describing the individual steps a job requires and eliminating any hazards that might be present while performing those steps. Performing the JSA accurately and comprehensively will help your workplace avoid preventable accidents and injuries.
There are two main steps in a JSA:
1. Identify workplace hazards and
2. Eliminate or control hazards.
Let's consider both steps in detail:
Identifying Hazards:
Every potential source of injury or incident within a job must be documented. To do this, it is important to consider each job in your workplace separately, beginning with the jobs that pose the highest risk of injury.
JSA should provide specific, complete instructions for safe operation. Jobs with a high frequency of injuries or a high risk of severe injury should be selected first.
To analyze a job for safety, break it down into a series of simple job steps. The job safety analyst should carefully observe experienced workers performing the job under normal conditions. Videotaping is helpful for documenting each required step.
The analyst should also discuss the job with experienced employees who can describe how they perform each step and suggest ways to eliminate unnecessary steps or combine them into more efficient actions. These two methods, careful observation and employee interviews, should be the primary sources used to define the steps. Referencing manufacturer instruction manuals is also a useful supplement.
Writing Clear Job Steps
Each step should be described using a simple action verb, so employees understand precisely what to do. Describe what needs to be done, not how to do it. Use direct phrases such as ‘pull lever’ or ‘turn arm leftwards’. List the steps in the order they are performed, ideally ten or fewer.
Describing Hazards
Once each step has been determined, list all hazards associated with each step. Tools, the workstation, the work environment, and surrounding activities can all pose hazards.
Ask experienced workers what hazards they encounter and what precautions they currently take. Workers’ compensation forms and incident reports associated with a job are also valuable sources. Hazards should be listed directly and concisely using industry-standard terminology, for example, ‘caught-between’ for work near moving parts. At this stage, focus on identifying hazards, not solutions.
Controlling or Eliminating Hazards:
The best solution is to eliminate a hazard entirely, but that is not always possible. If you cannot remove the hazard, look for ways to control it through substitution, engineering controls, or administrative controls. If these options are not feasible, personal protective equipment (PPE) must be provided so employees can work safely around remaining hazards.
Below are the four methods of controlling a hazard:
Methods of Controlling Hazards
Conclusion:
A Job Safety Analysis is an essential part of a broad, company-wide commitment to safety. It should be conducted for each job in your workplace. Involving workers in the process helps you understand how each job is really performed and encourages a strong, safety-focused culture.
For more detailed guidance from OSHA, visit: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3071.pdf
To download a sample Job Safety Analysis form, visit: https://www.osha.gov/dte/grant_materials/fy11/sh-22239-11/Handout2-JobSafetyAnalysisForm.pdf
