Episode 99 - Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) - Practical Examples

Episode 99 brings JHAs to life by walking through real, practical examples of how to break down tasks, identify hazards, and select effective controls. Dr. Ayers focuses on showing safety leaders how to think through a job step‑by‑step so the JHA becomes a useful tool—not just a compliance document.

 

Core Message

A JHA is only valuable when it reflects how the work is actually done, not how it’s written in a procedure. Practical examples help teams see hazards they would otherwise miss.

 

Key Points from the Episode

1. JHAs Must Follow the Real Workflow

Dr. Ayers stresses that JHAs should be built by:

• Watching the job performed

• Talking with the workers who do it

• Breaking the task into clear, logical steps

• Capturing the actual sequence, including informal workarounds

This prevents “paper safety” and reveals real‑world hazards.

 

2. Example: Changing a Light Fixture

Hazards identified include:

• Ladder instability

• Overreaching

• Electrical shock

• Dropped objects

• Poor lighting during the task

Controls might include:

• Proper ladder setup

• Lockout/tagout

• Two‑person team for stability

• Using the right tools for overhead work

This example shows how even simple tasks contain multiple hazard types.

 

3. Example: Using a Chemical Cleaner

Hazards include:

• Skin and eye contact

• Inhalation of vapors

• Slips from overspray

• Mixing incompatible chemicals

Controls include:

• Ventilation

• Proper PPE

• Clear labeling

• Training on chemical hazards

This example reinforces the need to consider routes of exposure.

 

4. Example: Operating a Forklift

Hazards include:

• Pedestrian strikes

• Tip‑overs

• Blind corners

• Load instability

• Battery charging hazards

Controls include:

• Traffic management

• Operator certification

• Pre‑use inspections

• Clear communication protocols

This example highlights the importance of environmental and behavioral factors.

 

5. Example: Machine Guarding Tasks

Hazards include:

• Pinch points

• Stored energy

• Unexpected startup

• Sharp edges

Controls include:

• Lockout/tagout

• Guard verification

• Using tools instead of hands

• Clear communication with operators

This example shows how JHAs must account for energy control.

 

6. What These Examples Teach

Across all examples, Dr. Ayers emphasizes:

• Hazards exist in every step

• Controls must match the hazard type

• Worker input is essential

• JHAs should be simple, visual, and practical

• The goal is risk reduction, not paperwork completion

Practical examples help teams understand how to think through hazards systematically.

 

Practical Takeaway

A strong JHA breaks a job into steps, identifies the hazards in each step, and assigns controls that workers can actually use. Practical examples make the process real—and help teams build JHAs that genuinely reduce risk.