Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) Program

Identity and mitigating risks on construction projects.

Job Hazard Analysis Overview

A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is crucial for identifying and mitigating risks on construction projects. It focuses on major components and risks, identifying specific hazards and implementing controls to reduce or eliminate those risks.

The primary goal of a JHA is to address high hazards on a job site, such as traffic control, risk of collapse, non-standard tasks, excavation near other structures, and water infiltration. The analysis helps determine which activities or scopes require a specific activity hazard analysis. As part of overall hazard identification, hazardous activities are logged in a risk register.

A JHA is developed for each identified hazard, emphasizing understanding the differences between work as imagined by managers and work as performed by workers. This requires a collaborative effort among all parties to ensure mutually agreed-upon outcomes and prevent unsafe practices.

In conducting a JHA, risks should be identified, defined, and evaluated based on their possible causes, potential outcomes and associated risks. Each risk is rated based on priority, severity, potential impact and probability. Control measures are then associated with each risk and responsibilities are assigned to individuals. Involving employees who perform the tasks in creating and maintaining JHA documents is an important practice.

Completed JHAs should be reviewed, tracked, and audited to ensure adherence to safety measures. Continuous monitoring and updating of risks are critical to reducing risks, injuries and potential claims. As conditions change, it is vital to communicate new risks and control measures to workers. Even if no changes occur, previously unidentified hazards may emerge as work progresses, necessitating ongoing vigilance.

Contact your risk engineering account coordinator to engage in a JHA for your construction environment, effectively mitigating risks and enhancing project safety.

Highlights

Identify Hazards
Identify, define and evaluate hazards based on their possible causes, potential outcomes and associated risks
Address Serious Risks
Target specific high hazards such as traffic control, utilities, blasting, or excavation near other structures for immediate improvement
Team Collaboration
Engage all interested parties in a collaborative effort to deeply understand processes, with mutually agreed-upon outcomes
Risk Assignment
Identify, define, and evaluate risks based on causes, outcomes and severity, then assign control measures and responsibilities
Strengthen Practices
Identify affected parties, controls, best safe work practices, probability, severity and recommended actions to prevent incidents
Continuous Improvement
Continuously monitor, update and communicate risks and control measures, ensuring they are followed and adjusted as conditions change

How It Works

Identify and analyze hazardous risks and activities associated with a specific job by using a risk register
Identify and analyze hazardous risks and activities associated with a specific job by using a risk register
Attain a deeper understanding of which project activities or scopes will require a specific, more thorough activity hazard analysis
Once jobsite hazards are identified, begin to implement effective controls and preventative measures to reduce or eliminate those risks
Work with employees performing the high-risk tasks to help create, review, update and maintain appropriate documents

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The Construction Risk Engineers at Zurich Resilience Solutions (ZRS) average 15 years of experience and are dedicated to understanding operational risks specific to the construction industry.