What is the goal of a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)?

The goal of a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is to identify and mitigate potential hazards associated with specific jobs and tasks in the workplace. A JHA systematically breaks down a job into its component tasks, evaluates each task for potential hazards, and then implements controls to eliminate or minimize those hazards. This proactive approach not only improves worker safety by allowing for the recognition of risks before they result in accidents or injuries, but it also ensures compliance with regulatory requirements regarding safety standards.

Conducting regular safety inspections, preparing emergency action plans, and developing workplace training programs, while important aspects of a comprehensive safety program, focus on different elements of workplace safety. Safety inspections are typically ascertained after a JHA has been performed to ensure ongoing compliance and safety. Emergency action plans are designed to respond to incidents rather than prevent them, and training programs are developed to educate workers based on the analysis provided by a JHA. Thus, while these components contribute to workplace safety, they do not directly represent the core goal of a JHA, which centers on hazard identification and mitigation.