⚡ Quick Answer: What is a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)?
A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is a safety process that identifies potential hazards for each step of a task and determines controls to eliminate or reduce those hazards.
Also called Job Safety Analysis (JSA), it breaks work into steps, identifies what could go wrong, and determines how to prevent it. JHAs are required by many GCs and owner contracts, dramatically reduce incident rates when done right, and document that you took safety seriously.
Key elements: Break task into 5-10 steps, identify hazards for each step (struck by, fall, electrical, etc.), determine controls (engineering, administrative, PPE), review with crew before work starts, get signatures, store for future reference.
đź“Ą Free JHA Resources
Get these downloadable resources to create effective Job Hazard Analyses:
JHA Template
Ready-to-use template with all required fields
đź“‹ What's in This Guide:
What is a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)?
A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), also called a Job Safety Analysis (JSA), is a proactive safety process that identifies potential hazards for each step of a task and determines controls to eliminate or reduce those hazards.
Why JHAs Matter:
- Prevent Incidents: Thinking through hazards before work starts prevents accidents
- Required by Contracts: Many GCs and owners require JHAs for specific tasks
- Documentation: Shows OSHA and courts that you took safety seriously
- Training Tool: Helps train crews on hazards and safe work practices
- Reduce Costs: One prevented incident saves thousands in medical costs, lost time, and potential fines
đź’° The Real Cost of Not Doing JHAs
JHA vs. JSA: What's the Difference?
Answer: There is no difference. JHA (Job Hazard Analysis) and JSA (Job Safety Analysis) are the same thing. Some companies use JHA, others use JSA. The process is identical: break task into steps, identify hazards, determine controls. Use whichever term your company or contract uses.
When Do You Need a JHA?
You don't need a JHA for every task. Here's when you need one:
âś… You Need a JHA For:
- New or Infrequent Tasks: Tasks crews haven't done before or do rarely
- High-Risk Activities: Working at height, confined spaces, electrical work, trenching
- Tasks with Incident History: If this task has caused incidents before
- Contract Requirements: Many GCs and owners require JHAs for specific tasks
- Complex Tasks: Tasks with many steps or multiple hazards
- Non-Routine Work: Tasks that vary significantly from normal operations
❌ You Don't Need a JHA For:
- Routine, Low-Risk Tasks: Tasks crews do daily with no significant hazards
- Simple Tasks: Tasks with obvious, well-understood hazards
- Well-Established Procedures: Tasks with documented safe work procedures already in place
Rule of thumb: If you're asking "should we do a JHA for this?", the answer is probably yes. It's better to do too many JHAs than too few.
How to Create a Job Hazard Analysis
Here's the step-by-step process for creating an effective JHA:
Step-by-Step Process:
Break Task Into Steps
List the task steps in order (typically 5-10 steps). What does the worker do first, second, third? Be specific but not overly detailed. Example: "Set up ladder" not "Walk to truck, open tailgate, remove ladder, carry to work area, set up ladder."
Pro tip: Watch someone do the task or do it yourself to identify the actual steps. Don't guess.
Identify Hazards for Each Step
For each step, identify potential hazards. Common hazard categories:
- Struck by: Falling objects, moving equipment, flying debris
- Caught in/between: Pinch points, machinery, collapsing materials
- Fall: From height, on same level, into openings
- Electrical: Contact with live wires, faulty equipment
- Chemical: Exposure to hazardous materials
- Ergonomic: Repetitive motion, heavy lifting, awkward positions
Pro tip: Include the crew in this step. They know the real hazards better than anyone.
Determine Controls
For each hazard, determine controls. Use the hierarchy of controls:
- Elimination: Remove the hazard entirely (best)
- Substitution: Replace with less hazardous alternative
- Engineering Controls: Guards, barriers, ventilation
- Administrative Controls: Procedures, training, signage
- PPE: Personal protective equipment (last resort)
Pro tip: Always try to eliminate or engineer out hazards first. PPE should be the last resort, not the first solution.
Review with Crew
Walk through the JHA with the crew before work starts. Get their input—they may identify hazards you missed. Make sure everyone understands the controls. Get signatures from all crew members acknowledging they've reviewed and understand the JHA.
Pro tip: Review the JHA at the start of each day if conditions have changed or if it's been a while since the task was done.
Document and Store
Store the completed JHA where it can be accessed by crews and supervisors. Update the JHA when conditions change, new hazards are identified, or after an incident. Keep JHAs for future reference—you can reuse them for similar tasks.
Pro tip: Digital storage is better than paper. Digital JHAs can't get lost, are searchable, and can be updated easily.
Real Example: JHA for Installing Windows
Here's what a completed JHA looks like for a common construction task:
Task: Installing Windows on Second Floor
| Step | Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Transport window to work area | Struck by falling window, back injury from lifting | Use two-person lift, proper lifting technique, clear path |
| 2. Set up ladder/scaffold | Fall from height, ladder collapse | Use scaffold (preferred) or 3-point contact on ladder, inspect equipment, secure base |
| 3. Remove existing window | Cut from glass, fall from opening, struck by falling glass | Wear cut-resistant gloves, safety glasses, hard hat, secure glass before removal |
| 4. Prepare opening | Fall through opening, cut from sharp edges | Install temporary guardrail or cover opening, wear gloves |
| 5. Install new window | Fall from height, struck by falling window, pinch points | Use fall protection, two-person installation, keep hands clear of pinch points |
| 6. Secure and seal window | Fall from height, chemical exposure from sealant | Use fall protection, use sealant in well-ventilated area, wear gloves |
Required PPE: Hard hat, safety glasses, cut-resistant gloves, fall protection (harness and lanyard), steel-toe boots
Additional Controls: Toolbox talk before work, competent person on site, weather conditions checked (no work in high winds)
Best Practices for Job Hazard Analysis
1. Include the Crew
The crew who will do the work knows the real hazards better than anyone. Include them in creating the JHA. They'll identify hazards you missed and suggest practical controls.
2. Be Specific
Vague hazards lead to vague controls. Instead of "fall hazard," write "fall from 15-foot height while installing window." Instead of "wear PPE," write "wear fall protection harness and lanyard, attach to anchor point before approaching edge."
3. Use the Hierarchy of Controls
Always try to eliminate or engineer out hazards first. PPE should be the last resort, not the first solution. Example: Instead of "wear hard hat" (PPE), consider "install overhead protection" (engineering control).
4. Update When Conditions Change
JHAs aren't one-time documents. Update them when: conditions change (weather, site layout), new hazards are identified, after an incident, or when procedures change.
5. Make Them Accessible
Store JHAs where crews can access them. Post them at the work area. Review them at toolbox talks. If crews can't find or access JHAs, they're useless.
6. Review Before Work Starts
Don't create a JHA and file it away. Review it with the crew at the start of each day or shift. Make sure everyone understands the hazards and controls.
How to Do It Manually (Paper/Excel)
You can absolutely create JHAs without any software. Here's how:
Paper Method:
- Print JHA template (available in our templates section)
- Fill out task information (task name, date, location, prepared by)
- List task steps in order
- For each step, identify hazards
- For each hazard, determine controls
- List required PPE
- Review with crew, get signatures
- File in job folder
Time: 45-60 minutes per JHA
Problems: Can get lost, hard to update, not searchable, can't reuse easily, signatures can be forged
Excel Method:
- Create Excel template with columns: Step, Hazard, Control
- Fill out task information
- List steps and hazards
- Determine controls
- Email to crew for review
- Print for signatures
- Save and file
Time: 40-50 minutes per JHA
Problems: Still need paper for signatures, hard to update, not searchable, can get lost
Both methods work! The process improvement is the systematic identification of hazards and controls. Software just makes it easier, more reliable, and reusable.
How to Do It With BLDR Pro
Same process improvement, but easier and more reliable. Here's how we built JHA management into BLDR Pro:
Step 1: Create JHA Form Template (10 minutes, one-time setup)
Use BLDR Pro's form builder to create your JHA template. Include fields for: task name, date, location, steps (with hazard and control fields), required PPE, crew signatures.
[Screenshot: BLDR Pro form builder showing JHA form creation]
This is the JHA form template we built in BLDR Pro. Notice how you can create reusable templates with step-by-step fields. Once created, you can use this template for any task—just fill in the specific steps and hazards.
Step 2: Fill Out JHA for Specific Task (20-30 minutes)
Open your JHA template, fill in task-specific information, list steps, identify hazards, determine controls. BLDR Pro saves your work automatically—no risk of losing it.
[Screenshot: Completed JHA form in BLDR Pro]
Here's a completed JHA for installing windows. Notice how each step has hazard and control fields. You can add photos, notes, and additional information.
Step 3: Review with Crew and Get Signatures (10 minutes)
Share the JHA with crew on their phones, review together, get digital signatures. All signatures are timestamped and can't be forged.
[Screenshot: Mobile view showing JHA with signature fields]
Crew members can review the JHA on their phones, add comments, and sign digitally. All signatures are timestamped and stored with the JHA.
Step 4: Store and Reuse (Instant)
Completed JHAs are automatically stored, searchable, and can be reused for similar tasks. Update them when conditions change—changes are tracked automatically.
[Screenshot: JHA library showing saved JHAs]
All your JHAs are stored in one place, searchable by task name, date, or location. You can copy and reuse JHAs for similar tasks, saving hours of work.
Comparison: Manual vs. BLDR Pro
| Metric | Paper Method | Excel Method | BLDR Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to create | 45-60 min | 40-50 min | 20-30 min |
| Time to reuse | 30-40 min | 20-30 min | 5-10 min |
| Digital signatures | No | No | Yes |
| Searchable | No | Limited | Yes |
| Can't get lost | No | No | Yes |
| Easy to update | No | Limited | Yes |
| Reusable templates | No | Limited | Yes |
| Works offline | Yes | No | Yes |
Time Savings: 20-30 minutes per JHA creation, 25-35 minutes per reuse
Reliability: Can't get lost, always accessible, searchable
ROI: If you create 10 JHAs per month, BLDR Pro saves 5-6 hours per month. At $50/hr, that's $250-$300/month in time savings—more than BLDR Pro costs.
Results & Impact
Here's what happens when you implement proper JHA processes:
Industry Data:
- Without JHAs: Higher incident rates, more OSHA violations, increased costs
- With Manual JHAs: 40-50% reduction in incidents, but time-consuming to create and maintain
- With Digital JHAs (BLDR Pro): 60%+ reduction in incidents, reusable templates save hours, always accessible
Why this works: Thinking through hazards proactively prevents incidents. Digital systems make JHAs easier to create, maintain, and reuse, so crews actually use them.
Frequently Asked Questions About JHAs
What is a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)?
A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is a safety process that identifies potential hazards for each step of a task and determines controls to eliminate or reduce those hazards. Also called Job Safety Analysis (JSA), it's a proactive way to prevent incidents by thinking through hazards before work begins.
When do you need a JHA?
You need a JHA for: new or infrequent tasks, high-risk activities (working at height, confined spaces, electrical work), tasks with a history of incidents, tasks required by contract or owner, and any task where hazards aren't obvious. You typically don't need JHAs for routine, low-risk tasks that crews do daily.
What is the difference between JHA and JSA?
JHA (Job Hazard Analysis) and JSA (Job Safety Analysis) are essentially the same thing—both identify hazards and controls for tasks. Some companies use JHA, others use JSA. The process is identical: break task into steps, identify hazards, determine controls.
Who should create a JHA?
The supervisor or foreman typically creates the JHA, but it should include input from the crew who will do the work. Crew members know the real hazards better than anyone. The best JHAs are created collaboratively: supervisor leads, crew provides input on hazards and controls.
How long should a JHA take?
A JHA should take 30-60 minutes to create, depending on task complexity. Simple tasks (5 steps) take 30 minutes. Complex tasks (10+ steps) take 45-60 minutes. The time is worth it—one prevented incident saves thousands of dollars and potentially saves lives.
Do you need a JHA for every task?
No, you don't need a JHA for every task. You need JHAs for: new or infrequent tasks, high-risk activities, tasks with incident history, and tasks required by contract. You typically don't need JHAs for routine, low-risk tasks that crews do daily with well-understood hazards.
Can JHAs be done digitally?
Yes, JHAs can and should be done digitally. Digital JHAs offer: reusable templates, digital signatures, automatic storage, searchability, easy updates, and can't get lost. Many contractors use form builders like BLDR Pro to create and manage digital JHAs.
đź“š Related Resources
đź“‹ Guides
đź“‹ Playbooks
🛠️ Tools
đź“Š Benchmarks
Additional Resources
- 🦺 Construction Safety Compliance Guide — Complete OSHA compliance guide
- 📚 Toolbox Talks Library — 100+ safety meeting topics
- 📄 JHA Templates — Free JHA templates and forms
- 📋 Safety Process Playbooks — Step-by-step safety workflows
Get Started
Try creating a JHA yourself. You can do it manually first, or use BLDR Pro to make it easier.
Free tier available • No credit card required • Works offline • Create JHA templates in 10 minutes