Developing a Job Hazard Analysis

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In addition to the information shown below, we suggest this link to the SAFESITE website, which is entitled: “Everything You Need to Run a Job Hazard Analysis.”

A job hazard analysis is a technique that focuses on job tasks as a way to identify hazards before they occur. It focuses on the relationship between the worker, the task, the tools, and the work environment.

At the bottom of this page are listed a number of potential hazards with operating a sweeper. We invite your input to develop more of these for the list. If you have hazard ideas to add, please list them in an email sent to: director@worldsweepingpros.org

A job hazard analysis (JHA), also called a job safety analysis (JSA), is a technique to identify the dangers of specific tasks in order to reduce the risk of injury to workers.

Once you know what the hazards are, you can reduce or eliminate them before anyone gets hurt. The JHA can also be used to investigate accidents and to train workers on how to do their jobs safely.

Instructions for Conducting a Job Hazard Analysis

How do I start?

  1. Involve employees.
    • Discuss what you are going to do and why
    • Explain that you are studying the task, not employee performance
    • Involve the employees in the entire process
  2. Review your company’s accident/injury/illness/near miss history to determine which jobs pose the highest risk to employees.
  3. Identify the OSHA standards that apply to your jobs. Incorporate their requirements into your JHA.
  4. Set priorities.
    • You may want to give priority to:
      • Jobs with the highest injury or illness rates;
      • Jobs where there have been “close calls” – where an incident occurred but no one got hurt;
      • Jobs where you have identified violations of OSHA standards;
      • Jobs with the potential to cause serious injuries or illness, even if there is no history of such problems;
      • Jobs in which one simple human mistake could lead to severe injury;
      • Jobs that are new to your operation of have been changed; and
      • Jobs complex enough to require written instructions.

How do I do it?

1. Break the job task into steps.

  • Watch the worker do the job and list each step in order
  • Begin each step with a verb, for example, “Turn on the saw.”
  • Do not make it too broad or too detailed
  • You may want to photograph or videotape
  • Review the steps with the worker and other workers who do the same job to make sure you have not left anything out.

2. Identify the hazards of each step. For each hazard, ask:

  • What can go wrong?
  • What are the consequences?
  • How could it happen?
  • What are other contributing factors?
  • How likely is it that the hazard will occur?

3. Review the list of hazards with employees who do the job. Discuss what could eliminate or reduce them.

4. Identify ways to eliminate or reduce the hazards.

  • Safer way to do the job
  • Describe each step
  • Be specific – don’t use generalizations like “Be Careful”
  • Changes in equipment
  • Equipment changes, or engineering controls, are the first choice because they can eliminate the hazard
  • E.g. machine guards, improved lighting, better ventilation
  • Changes in work processes
  • Administrative controls, or changes in how the task is done, can be used if engineering controls aren’t possible
  • E.g. rotating jobs, changing the steps, training
  • Changes in personal protectiveprotective equipment
  • When engineering and administrative controls aren’t possible or don’t adequately protect the workers, use personal protective equipment
  • E.g. gloves, hearing protection

What do I do next?

  1. Correct the unsafe conditions and processes.
    • Train all employees who do the job on the changes
    • Make sure they understand the changes
  2. Review the JHAs.
    • Periodically – you may find hazards you missed before
    • When he task or process is changed
    • When injuries or close calls occur when doing the task
  3. Use the JHAs.
    • Training
    • Accident investigation

Assessing and Categorizing Hazards

Note: All possible accident scenarios are typically assessed according to a ‘Risk Assessment Matrix’ and ‘Risk Control Requirements’ will probably be provided by the client company. An example of these is shown below.

Identify Potential Hazards: Identify the hazards associated with each step. Examine each to find possibilities that could lead to an accident.

Controls – List what you are going to do to make the job as safe as possible. Decide what actions are necessary to eliminate or minimize the hazards that could lead to an accident, injury or occupational illness or environmental impact.

Example Risk Categories and Controls for General Sweeper Operation

You may want to start with a listing of the controls you will be using to make the job as safe as possible. Here are examples:

Operator trained, competent, and has a current license for the vehicle being operated.

A specific pre-start checklist will be done.

All safety equipment for the sweeper will be in operating condition.

All operations will be carried out according to the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications, as well as according to any instructions provided by the client.

Operator trained to stop and avoid any material that could become entangled in rotating parts.

A dust capture system will be functioning during sweeping. Dust generated will not exceed acceptable levels under fugitive dust guidelines.

Operator will look before operating in reverse.

All safety devices and any interlock systems will be functional.

Operator will remain in the cab, in control of the vehicle unless the vehicle is fundamentally stable and secured from unintentional movement.

Sweeper will be parked only in designated areas.

Example Risk Categories and Controls for Air Sweeper Operation

  1. Accident entering/exiting truck: Hazard is slip/trip/fall. Control is operator always maintains 3-point contact. Risk level is unlikely.
  2. Blockage of intake tube: Hazard during hopper raising to clear. Control is safety chocks will be used. Risk level is seldom.
  3. Flat tire: Hazard is vehicle will be immobilized. Control is a service call for assistance. Risk level is seldom.
  4. Hydraulic leak: Hazard is environmental. Control is spill kit and/or oil dry will be in vehicle. Risk level is unlikely.
  5. Sweeper tipping during offloading of debris: Hazard is vehicle tipping over. Control is offloading will only be done on level ground. Risk level is unlikely.

Example Risk Categories and Controls for Broom Sweeper Operation

  1. Accident entering/exiting truck: Hazard is slip/trip/fall. Control is operator always maintains 3-point contact. Risk level is unlikely.
  2. Blockage / jamming of conveyor belt: Hazard during clearing of cause of blockage. Control is safety chocks will be used. Risk level is seldom.
  3. Flat tire: Hazard is vehicle will be immobilized. Control is a service call for assistance. Risk level is seldom.
  4. Hydraulic leak: Hazard is environmental. Control is spill kit and/or oil dry will be in vehicle. Risk level is unlikely.
  5. Sweeper tipping during offloading of debris: Hazard is vehicle tipping over. Control is offloading will only be done on level ground. Risk level is unlikely.

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