Job Hazard Analysis

Term from Safety industry explained for recruiters

Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is a safety planning tool that breaks down workplace tasks to identify and address potential dangers before they cause accidents. It's like creating a detailed safety roadmap for each job task. Safety professionals use JHA (also known as Job Safety Analysis or JSA) to document each step of a work task, spot possible risks, and create simple solutions to protect workers. This is a fundamental skill that most companies require from their safety personnel, similar to how a chef would write out a recipe to ensure food is prepared safely.

Examples in Resumes

Conducted over 200 Job Hazard Analysis assessments across multiple construction sites

Trained supervisors on proper JHA techniques and documentation

Developed and implemented Job Safety Analysis program for manufacturing facility

Typical job title: "Safety Professionals"

Also try searching for:

Safety Manager Safety Coordinator EHS Specialist Safety Consultant Risk Assessment Specialist Occupational Health and Safety Officer HSE Manager

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you implement a JHA program across multiple facilities with different risk levels?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that discuss standardization while accounting for site-specific hazards, training programs for supervisors, tracking systems for completion and review, and methods to ensure worker participation and buy-in.

Q: How do you measure the effectiveness of a JHA program?

Expected Answer: Candidate should mention tracking incident rates before and after implementation, worker feedback, compliance rates, reduction in near-misses, and regular program audits.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What steps do you take when conducting a Job Hazard Analysis?

Expected Answer: Should describe breaking down jobs into steps, identifying hazards for each step, determining controls, documenting findings, and involving workers in the process.

Q: How do you prioritize which jobs need a JHA first?

Expected Answer: Should mention factors like accident history, severity of potential injuries, new processes, and frequency of task performance.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?

Expected Answer: Should explain that a hazard is something that can cause harm (like electricity), while a risk is the chance that the hazard will actually cause harm.

Q: What are the basic components of a JHA form?

Expected Answer: Should list job steps, potential hazards, risk level, control measures, and required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic hazard identification
  • JHA form completion
  • Understanding of common workplace hazards
  • Knowledge of basic safety regulations

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Independent JHA development
  • Training others on JHA procedures
  • Risk assessment techniques
  • Implementation of control measures

Senior (5+ years)

  • Program development and management
  • Complex risk assessment
  • Integration with other safety programs
  • Strategic safety planning

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Unable to explain basic hazard identification process
  • No experience with safety documentation
  • Lack of knowledge about OSHA regulations
  • Poor understanding of hierarchy of controls