Job Safety Analysis (JSA) & Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)
A Job Safety Analysis (JSA), also known as a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), is a systematic process used to identify potential hazards associated with a specific job or task and establish appropriate controls before work begins. A JSA/JHA breaks a job into individual steps, evaluates the hazards associated with each step, and identifies the safe work practices, engineering controls, administrative controls, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other measures necessary to prevent injuries, illnesses, property damage, and environmental incidents.
JSAs and JHAs are used to help employees and supervisors recognize hazards before and during work and to ensure appropriate controls are established. The analysis should consider the equipment, materials, tools, work environment, employees involved, and conditions that may affect the safe completion of the task.
A JSA/JHA should be reviewed with affected employees before work begins. Employees shall understand the identified hazards, required controls, and their responsibilities before performing the work. The JSA/JHA shall be revised when conditions change, new hazards are identified, the work scope changes, an incident or near miss occurs, or existing controls are determined to be ineffective.
The terms Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) are commonly used interchangeably. Regardless of terminology, the objective is the same: identify hazards before they cause harm and establish effective controls to perform the job safely.