What Is a JHA?
Job Hazard Analysis: break a task into steps, find hazards, and set controls.
Quick definition
JHA stands for Job Hazard Analysis. It is a structured review that breaks a task into steps, identifies the hazards in each step, and decides on controls before the work begins. OSHA publishes guidance on the method under the name Job Hazard Analysis.
JHA vs JSA
JSA (Job Safety Analysis) and JHA are often used interchangeably, but internal procedures, customers, and project specifications may define the required format differently. OSHA publishes method guidance under the name Job Hazard Analysis. You may also see AHA (Activity Hazard Analysis) on construction and government projects. If a customer asks for a JHA, follow their form; if they ask for a JSA, see the JSA definition.
The four steps
1. Select the job. 2. Break it into sequential steps. 3. Identify the hazards in each step. 4. Choose controls, starting with elimination or substitution, then engineering and administrative controls, and PPE last.
When to complete one
Complete a JHA for high-risk or non-routine work, jobs with a history of injuries, new tasks, and tasks where conditions change. Review it with the crew in a toolbox talk and revisit it after any incident or near miss.
Need a starting point? Download our free JSA template (also usable as a JHA starting point). Rivkor's offline inspection checklists and meeting records help crews document the follow-through in the field.