Symmetrical Group

Policies and Procedures

OHS&E\SAFETY PROCEDURES

SG-PR-33-10 Job Hazard Analysis

1. Overview

The Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is a key element for Hazard/Risk Identification Assessment and Control.  The Job JHA is a formal documented method to record a work practice by;

• Identifying the skills, equipment and PPE required to execute the work.
• Breaking the job into logical and sequential steps (start to finish).
• Identifying any potential hazards or risks within each step.
• Developing control measures to eliminate or minimise adverse outcomes (causing injury or damage to equipment).
• Communicating the same information to all people involved.
• Identifying tasks that can be improved by changing the method, reducing hazards or utilising better control methods.

An effective JHA is achieved by:

• Involving employees who are carrying out the work in the hazard and risk assessment process prior to commencing the task;
• Identifying potential hazards and control measures to be implemented prior to the commencement of the task;
• Recommending modifications to the task or process to eliminate or minimise exposure to the hazards identified; and
• Providing proper planning, documentation and communication of the task requirements to ensure the work instructions are fully understood by the work team and are carried out in a safe manner.

An essential element in preparing a JHA is the involvement of the workforce required to undertake the task in identification and control of hazards and risks associated with the job.

2. Methods

There are three methods of undertaking a JHA:

2.1. Direct Observation

This is used where repetitive and frequently carried out jobs occur.  This is suited to short duration activities.

The Observer (Supervisor or suitable employee) observes and discusses job steps, hazards and solutions with employees carrying out the work.

2.2. Key Points

The Observer should;

• Be familiar with the purpose and benefits of an accurate JHA and have a suitably high safety awareness of hazards associated with this type of job. 
• Observe all workers involved in the job (i.e. including crane drivers/dogmen etc who have limited involvement but contribute to completing the work);
• Be able to determine the least experienced crew members (least experienced  - greater risk)
• Be aware of different approaches or techniques available to complete the job.
• Ensure the employees fully understand the purpose of observation
• Seek explanation from the employees of the tasks in progress.
• Discuss hazards or precautions (control measures) associated with each step. The safety awareness of the observer will assist in identifying other hazards that may have been overlooked by the workers involved.
• Record the job-step breakdown
• Document the JHA and issue for review.

2.3. Group Discussion

Used in pre-planning the safe execution of larger jobs, e.g. working within an operational plant.  This process is best led by a supervisory employee or experienced JHA author.

The Group Discussion Method team selection will involve:

• Supervisor for the crew/team
• Workers involved in carrying out the job
• It may also involve the:
• Safety and Health Representative(s)
• Safety Advisor
• Superintendent or Project Manager (based on potential risk involved)
• Client representative or Area Manager (project work)

2.4. Recall and Check Method

The Supervisor or JHA trained employee prepares a preliminary JHA based on their knowledge of the job and checks this by discussing with employee(s) who have previously completed the same work.

Note:

• It may be necessary to observe job as it is presently done.
• Discussions with personnel involved will be helpful.
• The Supervisor should consider completing the job steps and hazards but leave the control of hazards to be finalised by the work group doing the task.  This will ensure JHA is effectively understood, ie. hazard and controls identified.

3. Job Hazard Analysis Steps

3.1. Review Conceptual Hazard/Risk Assessment Register

Reviewing the Conceptual Hazard / Risk Assessment Register of project activities provides the Supervisor with information as the basis for compiling the priority Job Hazard Analysis activities.

3.2 JHA Work Team

The Symmetrical Group Supervisor or Manager is responsible to ensure all personal they are responsible for are aware of JHA requirements.  In addition to providing copies of all JHA’s to their team which shall include the following;

• The Supervisor in charge of the works (responsible for developing and implementation of the JHA).
• Employees who are to carry out the work.
• Engineer or client representatives (if required).

This team shall review the following:

• Conceptual Hazard Risk Assessments.
• Previous Work Method Statements.
• Rigging studies (where appropriate).
• Statutory Requirements.
• Material Safety Data Sheets.
• Clients Specifications.

This work team shall review the scope of work, identify and analyse the hazards and risks and define control strategies to minimise adverse outcomes.

3.3. Work Task Steps

Having selected the job to be analysed, the next step is to break it down into basic task steps.  This permits a systematic critical examination of each part of the job for hazards and potential incidents.

Any job, no matter how complex, can be broken down into a series of basic task steps.  Some jobs may involve only a small number of task steps.

The job should be broken down in such a way that the task steps are an accurate description and in sequential order.

       Key Points for identifying task steps:

• Safety first - make it safe
• Preparation - get it ready
• Not too much detail - unnecessarily large number of steps
• Not too broad - omits activities with hazards and potential for incidents
• State:  What must be done - not how to be done
• The job steps are described in their normal order of occurrence
• The description of each step starts with a verb (a do word) i.e. position, remove, tighten, etc.

3.4. Task Step Hazards/Risks

After the job has been broken down into task steps, identify the associated hazards and potential risks to personnel, plant, equipment or the environment.  The objective is to identify all hazards and risks including any potential hazards or risks associated with the following:

• Chemical: gases, dusts, fumes, vapours and liquids.
• Ergonomic: tool design, equipment design, job task design, work station design and manual handling.
• Radiation: microwaves, infra red, ultra violet, laser (non ionising), X rays and gamma rays.
• Psychological: shift work, work load, dealing with the public, harassment, discrimination, threat of danger and low level constant noise.
• Biological: infections, bacteria and viruses such as hepatitis.

3.5. Control Strategies

Having determined the hazards and risks associated with the task steps, control strategies must be put in place to eliminate where possible or minimise any adverse outcomes.

When considering control strategies it is important that the hierarchy of control is utilised.  This consists of:

• Eliminate the hazard: is the most preferred control solution eg. re-positioning work from an elevated level to ground level.
• Substitute the hazard: explore alternative work processes to achieve the desired result by a less hazardous means eg. substitute lead based paint for one which is less hazardous.
• Engineer the hazard out: engineering methods may be available to change the process, such as introduction of segregation, partial enclosure, mechanical handling, ventilation etc.
• Administrative controls: these controls rely on human behaviour to minimise hazards by undertaking certain safe procedures.  These may include job rotation, minimising the number of people exposed to a potential hazard, codes of practice, safe working procedures, permits to work and housekeeping
• Personal protection: this control is the least preferred method in the hierarchy of control.  The use of this method should be a last resort and wherever possible never form the basis of a long-term control plan as the person remains exposed to the hazard and protection is dependent upon the effectiveness of the PPE.

3.6. Recording Information

All JHA’s shall be recorded on the appropriate documentation, in addition to a copy being issued to the Client representative, the JHA will be filed by Symmetrical Group in an indexed register for reference and audit purposes.

3.7. Approval

The responsible Symmetrical Group Supervisor, Manager or Employee shall approve all JHA’s prior to commencing the work task. The Client shall be consulted by the responsible Symmetrical Group person where deemed necessary prior to approval.

3.8. Action Plans  (where applicable)

Following the completion of an extensive JHA, an Action Plan may be compiled and attached to the JHA which will detail any specific items that require action any by whom and in what time frame.  An example of this would be obtaining a work permit.

3.9. Communication

A copy of the completed JHA (and Action Plan when required) shall be maintained at the actual work site.  The Supervisor shall communicate the information contained in the JHA to all personnel who are required to carry out the task covered by the JHA.  In addition where a JHA indicates a possibility of safety concerns being raised by other personnel in the vicinity the JHA information shall be discussed with these personnel at a pre-start meeting.

4. Change Control

4.1        Change Factors

Where work scope or sequence changes or any additional hazards are recognised during the execution of the activity, work should be stopped to reassess the validity of the JHA.  The Supervisor is required to investigate the additional hazard and implement adequate control methods.  This additional information shall then be recorded on the JHA and communicated to all personnel carrying out the task and any other persons deemed necessary under this procedure.

4.2        Review and Improvement

Following the completion of the work activity the JHA shall be reviewed by the Supervisor and work team and any other relevant information recorded on the JHA.  The completed document shall be forwarded to SYMMETRICAL GROUP and the Contractor / Subcontractor Supervisor for filing in the JHA Register.

5. JHA Register

A JHA Register should be used to assist in the retrieval and cross-referencing of the JHA records.  Where large numbers of JHA records are expected, an electronic register/database should be utilised.

Symmetrical Group shall ensure that JHA worksheets are adequately documented and filed within (either manually or electronically maintained) project filing system.  Filing is to be controlled by a nominated Supervisor or Project Engineer.

6.0 Forms Relevant to this Procedure

F-S-02 JHA Template

Date published: 25/07/2013

* -25/07/2013 12:27:06 PM