Stopping Risky

Behavior Through
Job Safety Analysis
Gary L. Visscher, Esq.
Law Office of Adele L. Abrams P.C.
www.safety-law.com
301-595-3520
Defining Job Safety Analysis
(JSA)
 JSA is the same as Job Safety Analysis (JSA) –
terms used interchangeably.
 JSA is a systematic process used to separate
job into steps, identify hazards associated with
each step, and develop controls for identified
hazards.
 JSA becomes part of corporate safety program.
 JSA is a first step in emergency preparedness
and maintaining a safe workplace.
Basic Definitions
 Job: Definite sequence of steps or separate
activities that, together, lead to completion of a
work assignment or goal
 Job Step: Single and separate activity that
clearly advances a work assignment
 Hazard: Any condition that may result in
occurrence of, or contribute to, an accident
 Accident: Unplanned event that results in injury
and/or property damage
Uses of JSA
 Evaluate and analyze a new work assignment,
procedure or equipment
 Develop “standard operating procedures” to be
followed by all workers who perform a job
 Train new workers, refresh experienced workers,
prepare for performance of jobs that are
infrequent
 Anticipate high hazard or emergency situations
and prepare contingency plans
Accident Causation Analysis
 Basic Causes: Management Safety Policy
and Decisions; Personal Factors;
Environmental Factors
 Indirect Causes: Unsafe Acts and Unsafe
Conditions
 Direct Causes: Unplanned Release of
Energy and/or Hazardous Material
Role of JSA in Accident
Prevention
 JSA can remedy basic causes by establishing
meaningful safety policies, enhancing worker
safety awareness, and addressing personal and
environmental factors before accident occurs.
 JSA can identify and eliminate unsafe acts (e.g.,
shortcuts) and conditions (e.g., lack of guards,
improper PPE)
 JSA stresses protection of people when unplanned
releases occur and can help to develop emergency
procedures in advance of catastrophic event
Who Is Involved?
 JSA requires team approach
 supervisors,
 experienced employees, and
 new workers
 Everyone must be prepared to assist in recognition,
evaluation and control of hazards and be accountable for
implementation of JSA-identified safe work procedures
 Main participants should be those knowledgeable about the
task and work area being assessed
 Top management must encourage participation, make JSA
part of goals, and be prepared to take action and spend $ to
address identified hazards requiring expenditures or
engineering fixes.
Getting Started – The JSA
Process
1. Select job to be analyzed:
 Assign priority to high risk
jobs, new jobs, those
involved in past accidents,
and those with process
changes
 Worksite and national data
review helpful
 Can use standard “risk
matrix” (hazard, probability
and severity)
 Develop list of jobs for each
position title
2. Separate job into basic steps:
 Each step describes what is
done, in order performed
 Emphasize WHAT to do, not
HOW to do it
 Use “action” words
 Name item or thing acted
upon
 Most jobs require 10-15
steps (don’t be too detailed in
each step, nor too broad)
Getting Started – The JSA
Process
3. Identify hazards associated with each step:
 Look for hazards associated with machines, tools, supplies, procedures
and surroundings
 Ask if worker can –
 Contact energy source or hazardous material (electricity, chemical, gases,
fumes, steam, water, heat/cold)
 Be struck by anything (moving or flying objects, falling material, mobile
equipment)
 Strike against anything (stationary or moving objects, sharp or jagged
edges)
 Be caught in, on or between anything (pinchpoints, moving or stationary
objects)
 Slip, trip or fall (at same or lower level; obvious housekeeping hazards)
 Overexert (lift, push, pull, repetitive motion)
Getting Started: The JSA
Process
4. Eliminate or control each identified hazard:
 Environmental controls/changes
 Administrative controls
 Protective equipment/apparel
 Job procedures to minimize hazard potential
 Environmental or administrative controls usually
require management authorization and may require
monetary investments. Management must be
prepared to make this investment PROMPTLY upon
identification of hazard and notification of
recommended action in order to minimize liability!!!!!
The JSA Form
Company Name:_________________ Training Record
Job Title:____________Date:______
PPE Required: __________________ Employees: Date:
Supervisor: ____________________
Analysis by: ____________________
Approved by: ___________________

Sequence of Basic Job Steps Potential Hazards Recommended Action

or Procedure
1.Put on protective equipment Improper fit, Check to make sure
improper rating right equipment
selected (e.g., flame
retardant clothing and
eyewear with side
shields)
2. Check to ensure power off Electricity Turn off power; apply
Stored energy locks and tags (LOTO);
block against
hazardous motion
The JSA Team
 JSAs developed by observing multiple workers perform
the task and discussing work methods with a variety (old
and new) to get input.
 Take care not to “build in” established but unsafe
practices that are shortcuts used by “old-timers.”
 Supervisors must be involved, but workers should be
active in process (including making and evaluating
recommended solutions) to get maximum benefits
 Direct observation is critical
 Team can also video process for evaluation and
discussion with workers and management (but watch
legal pitfalls as tapes are discoverable by OSHA/MSHA)
Solutions Identified by JSA
 Environmental Controls/Changes – Involves
changing work environment or reducing amount
of energy or hazardous materials in workplace.
Examples include: electrical system overhaul;
accessways; protective shields and barriers;
ventilation improvements; providing different
tools, equipment or materials; noise reduction;
lighting changes; modification of work area
layout; equipment replacement.
Solutions Identified by JSA
 Administrative Controls – Includes job
frequency reduction, preventative
maintenance, better housekeeping. Goal is
to reduce frequency with which high hazard
jobs must be performed.
 PPE: Protective apparel, hard hats, eye,
foot, hand and hearing protection, gloves,
respirators, fall protection
Solutions Identified by JSA
 Job Procedures: JSA spells out what worker
should (and should not) do. These should cover
both routine procedures and safe practices for
unusual and unplanned situations (e.g., fire,
power failure, explosion, equipment
breakdowns, release of chemicals).
 This helps create emergency contingency plan
that can minimize loss of life and property.
Other Requirements
 Results should be IN WRITING (chart format) – can be kept in “SOP”
binder so can be accessed by supervisors/workers before task is
performed
 JSAs should be periodically reviewed to ensure still valid and being
followed by workers (can be part of safety audit)
 JSAs should be revised whenever process or equipment changes, or
new hazards (e.g., chemicals) introduced (responsibility of
employees AND supervisors)
 JSAs must be site-specific to be of maximum value.
Although they can be shared with other sites or
companies in same industry, and this can help identify
hazards you may have missed, do not use someone
else’s “off the shelf” JSAs. This undercuts value of entire
process by eliminating YOUR employees’ involvement.
JSA Application
 New Employee Training (50% of disabling claims
involve employees in their 1st year)
 Task Training
 Refresher Training
 Identify jobs requiring HazCom Training
 Accident and “Near Miss” investigations and Root
Cause Analysis (e.g., did worker(s) deviate from
established procedures or take shortcuts?)
 Tool in Safety Audit Process
Legal Considerations
 Make sure information contained in JSA is technically
accurate and compliant with applicable standards
 Since JSA is not mandated, these documents need not be
produced during inspections (unless serving as
documentation of mandated training or program evaluation)
 If JSA process identifies hazards requiring immediate
action, then ACT! Failure to do so can lead to “willful”
citations because management has documented
knowledge of unsafe conditions
 If you share JSAs with third parties, you could have liability
exposure for “negligent training”
JSA Benefits
 Establishes consistent, worksite-specific standard operating
procedures
 Creates safety awareness at all levels of operation
 Empowers employees and increases their involvement
 Identifies and eliminates “bad habits” that may be ingrained in
experienced workers who train others
 Reduces liability procedures in event of OSHA/MSHA
inspection or accident investigation
 Documents training of workers
 Cut down on lost time and production, and damage to facility,
materials or equipment
 SAVES LIVES!!!!!!
QUESTIONS????

Gary L. Visscher, Esq.

301-595-3520
gvisscher@ymail.com