The Job Hazard Analysis can be used as the foundation of your safety process, and will help to provide structure, for safety training, safety compliance, hazard and risk controls, inspections/audits, coaching/observations and other safety activities. If a core standard, such as ANSI AIHA Z10 2005 or OHSAS 18001 is being used, the Job Hazard Analysis process can be tapped by many of their elements.
As OSHA moves towards an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (I2P2) standard, safety managers may be required to better assess and complete a thorough review of the workplace. Implementing an effective I2P2 can be enhanced by the establishing of a solid Job Hazard Analysis process. A comprehensive hazard and risk assessment based on Job Hazard Analyses can aid in setting priorities and the rank ordering of jobs, steps, and tasks by potential severity and loss frequency. As more details and insights on where hazards and risk exist, the I2P2, ANSI Z10 process can be adjusted and customized to the site-specific needs and not just be a generic approach to safety
The approach to establishing an effective Job Hazard Analysis should include:
Employees should be brought into the hazard identification and hazard analysis. Further, management and administrative involvement will be necessary assure communication of the safety process and why Job Hazard Analysis is important.
One obstacle that could prevent employees from participating is the misperception that Job hazard Analysis is a form of time and motion study. While it may help with improving the job, these are not purely efficiency studies directed at employee effectiveness. Training may be needed on the basics of hazard identification and the logistics for setting up the process will need to be reviewed.
Candid and open communications are essential. Employees must be free to report problems or perceived issues without fear of reprisal. The workplace climate must be open and trusting for issues and problems to be discussed. If not, deeper problems with the relationship between safety and operational issues must be addressed.
The methods to communicate issues and activities within the organization must be determined. The quality and depth of communications determines what messages and knowledge get through to all levels of the organization. An analysis may show where communications are slowing or stopped, limiting full knowledge of known risk or uncontrolled hazards.
The methods and tools used to identify hazards and qualify risks should be reviewed. Inspections, accident investigations, maintenance records, as well as rules, policies, procedures, etc., should be comprehensive, effective and upgraded and revised as warranted. Report tracking of recommendations, controls and issues is essential to assuring effective implementation of controls.
Timely feedback or responses to employees about findings and concerns must be planned in advance. As Job Hazard Analyses, hazards and risk related questions develop, a combination of meetings, interviews, and written communications must be rapidly sent to the level of authority that can address the potential severity. As high severity issues are identified, senior decision makers must be made aware with immediate controls or even "cease activity" decisions taken until controls can be devised.
Formal plans for corrective actions or job modifications must be in place as risks or hazards are identified. Procedures designed to get the immediate short term controls in place while the long term fix is being developed should follow an organizational "project management" model.
It is essential to track and follow-up on new procedures, protocols, job, steps, and task changes. You must be assured that corrective actions are tracked and that administrative controls and communications effectively assure that they are working.
The Job Hazard Analysis can clarify and reduce underlying confusion or conflicts regards the steps needed for a better workplace. As most employers and employees want to do the right thing and take pride in their work and safety record you should consider the following statement" "Job Hazard Analysis - Improving Safety One Job, One Step, One Task at a Time"
