Job Hazard Analysis (JHA): Free Template & Step-by-Step Guide

What Is a Job Hazard Analysis?

A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) — also called a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) — is a systematic process that:

1. Breaks a job into individual steps

2. Identifies hazards at each step

3. Determines preventive measures (controls) for each hazard

OSHA calls it "one of the most effective risk reduction tools available" (OSHA Publication 3071). It transforms vague safety instructions ("be careful") into specific, actionable controls.

Why JHAs Matter

Without a JHA: "Watch out for falling objects on the jobsite."

With a JHA:

Step: Unload materials from delivery truck

Hazard: Shifting load, struck-by risk, back strain

Controls: Use tag lines, wear hard hat, two-person lift for items over 50 lbs, position workers clear of overhead load

The difference is the difference between a compliant workplace and a citation.

The 5-Step JHA Process

Step 1: Select the Job

Prioritize jobs for JHA based on:

Injury history — Jobs with past incidents or near-misses

Severity potential — Tasks that could cause serious injury or death

New or modified — Recently changed procedures or equipment

Frequency — Tasks performed daily carry cumulative risk

Regulatory requirement — Confined space, hot work, LOTO all require hazard assessment

Step 2: Break the Job into Steps

Observe the task being performed by an experienced worker. List each step in sequence:

Example: Grinding Metal

1. Select and inspect grinder and disc

2. Secure workpiece in vise or clamp

3. Don PPE (safety glasses, face shield, gloves, hearing protection)

4. Connect grinder to power source

5. Position grinder and begin grinding

6. Inspect finished work

7. Disconnect power and store grinder

Rule of thumb: 8–12 steps is ideal. Too few and you miss hazards. Too many and the JHA becomes unwieldy.

Step 3: Identify Hazards at Each Step

For every step, ask:

Can the worker be struck by or strike against som