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Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) Procedure

Document Type: Procedure
Version: 2.0
Last Updated: February 2026
Distribute To: Foremen, Superintendents, Safety Director

📘 Looking for the Full JHA Guide?

This page is the company procedure — the rules for when and how to create JHAs. For the comprehensive how-to guide with completed examples, risk assessment matrices, trade-specific hazards, and hierarchy of controls details, see the Job Hazard Analysis Guide.

Purpose​

Establish a mandatory process for identifying hazards and implementing controls before work begins through Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), also called Job Safety Analysis (JSA) or Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA).

Policy​

  1. A JHA shall be completed for every high-hazard task before work begins.
  2. All workers performing the task shall review and sign the JHA before starting.
  3. JHAs shall be updated whenever conditions change, after incidents, or at least annually.
  4. Completed JHAs shall be filed in the project safety records and retained for the duration of the project plus 5 years.

When is a JHA Required?​

Always Required​

ActivityTrigger
Excavation / trenchingAny trench or excavation
Confined space entryAny confined space work
Hot work (welding, cutting, brazing)Any open flame or spark-producing work
Work at heightsFall potential > 6 feet
Crane / rigging operationsAny crane lift
Electrical work (energized or LOTO)Any work on or near electrical systems
Lockout / tagoutAny LOTO operation
DemolitionAny demolition activity
Steel erectionAny structural steel work
Work near trafficAny work in or adjacent to traffic
Work with hazardous materialsAny chemical handling or exposure
Concrete pumping / placementAny concrete operations
New or unfamiliar tasksFirst time performing on this project
Non-routine workOne-off activities outside normal scope
Tasks with incident historyAny task that has caused prior injuries

Triggers for JHA Review / Update​

  • Incident or near-miss on the task
  • Conditions change (weather, site layout, adjacent work)
  • New equipment or methods introduced
  • New crew members assigned to the task
  • At least annually for recurring tasks

Procedure​

Step 1 — Select the Task and Pull Template​

  1. Identify the specific task to be performed
  2. Check the JHA Library for an existing JHA for this task type
  3. If a library JHA exists, pull it and proceed to Step 2 for customization
  4. If no library JHA exists, use a blank JSA Template

Step 2 — Customize for Site Conditions​

  1. Walk the work area where the task will be performed
  2. Update the header: project, date, location, crew, equipment
  3. Verify the job steps match the actual scope of work today
  4. Add or remove steps based on actual conditions

Step 3 — Identify Hazards and Assess Risk​

  1. At each step, identify specific hazards (not vague — see guide for examples)
  2. Rate each hazard using the Risk Assessment Matrix:
    • Severity (1–5): Minor → Catastrophic
    • Probability (1–5): Rare → Almost Certain
    • Risk Score = Severity × Probability
  3. Any hazard scored 12–25 (Extreme) requires Safety Director review before work proceeds

For the full risk matrix with scoring guide, see JHA Guide — Risk Assessment

Step 4 — Develop Controls​

  1. Apply the Hierarchy of Controls for each hazard (most to least effective):
    • Elimination → Substitution → Engineering → Administrative → PPE
  2. Write controls as specific actions (not "be careful")
  3. Assign a responsible person for each control

For detailed control examples by hazard type, see JHA Guide — Develop Controls

Step 5 — Review With the Crew (Pre-Task Meeting)​

  1. Hold the pre-task meeting at the work location
  2. Walk through each step, hazard, and control
  3. Ask the crew: "What did we miss?"
  4. Update the JHA with crew input
  5. Review emergency procedures (contacts, first aid, evacuation)
  6. All workers sign the JHA before work begins
  7. Post a copy at the work area

Duration: 5–15 minutes. Keep it focused and conversational.

Step 6 — Execute and Monitor​

  1. Verify controls are physically in place before work starts
  2. Monitor work practices throughout the shift
  3. Stop work if:
    • Controls are not working as intended
    • Conditions change from what the JHA assumed
    • A new hazard is identified
    • A near-miss occurs
  4. Update the JHA before resuming work

Step 7 — Close Out and File​

  1. Note any changes made during execution on the JHA
  2. Record lessons learned
  3. Submit the completed, signed JHA to the Superintendent
  4. File in the project safety records
  5. If the task will be repeated, update the JHA Library with lessons learned

Responsibilities​

RoleResponsibilities
Foreman / SupervisorDevelop JHAs for assigned tasks (with crew input), lead pre-task meeting, collect signatures, monitor controls, update as conditions change
SuperintendentEnsure JHAs exist for all required tasks, review and approve JHAs, verify controls during daily walkthrough, coordinate multi-trade JHAs
Safety DirectorMaintain JHA templates and library, review high-hazard JHAs (risk score ≥12), conduct monthly quality audits, train supervisors, analyze incident data
WorkersParticipate in JHA development, attend pre-task meetings, sign JHA, follow controls, report new hazards and suggest improvements

For detailed responsibility matrices and implementation guidance, see the JSA/JHA Playbook

JHA Library​

Maintain a library of JHAs for common tasks:

  • Organized by trade and activity
  • Reviewed at least annually
  • Updated immediately after any incident
  • Accessible to all field supervisors (shared drive, safety app, or field binder)

Library JHAs are starting points, not final documents. Every JHA must be customized for the specific project, location, conditions, and crew before use.

Documentation and Retention​

DocumentRetention
Completed, signed JHAsDuration of project + 5 years
JHA Library (master templates)Permanent (update as needed)
Pre-task meeting attendance logsDuration of project + 5 years
JHA audit records3 years

Compliance Auditing​

The Safety Director (or designee) shall audit JHA compliance monthly:

  • JHAs exist for all high-hazard tasks in progress
  • JHAs are specific to actual site conditions (not generic copies)
  • Risk ratings are documented
  • Controls follow the hierarchy of controls (not PPE-only)
  • All workers signed before work started
  • JHAs are posted or accessible at the work area
  • JHAs have been updated when conditions changed

For the full 10-point quality audit checklist with scoring, see JSA/JHA Playbook — Metrics

Software Integration​

Safety Meetings App:

  • Digital JHA templates
  • Pre-built JHA library
  • Signature capture
  • Automatic documentation

BLDR Pro:

  • JHA attachment to daily reports
  • Photo documentation
  • Hazard tracking
ResourceDescription
JHA GuideComprehensive how-to with risk matrix, hierarchy of controls, 4 completed examples, trade-specific hazards
JSA/JHA PlaybookImplementation playbook — roles, workflows, metrics, troubleshooting
JSA Template (Download)Downloadable JSA form with fill-out instructions and completed example
Fall Protection ProgramFall protection procedure (frequently paired with JHA)
Incident Reporting ProcedureReport incidents that trigger JHA updates
Toolbox Talk ProcedureUse JHAs to drive toolbox talk topics
Emergency Action PlanEmergency procedures referenced in JHAs
Confined Space ProcedureConfined space entry (always requires JHA)

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