Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)

A Job Hazard Analysis breaks a job into basic steps, identifies the hazards associated with each step, and documents the controls needed to prevent injury or illness.

A JHA typically includes:

• The job or task name and location
• A list of basic job steps
• Potential hazards for each step
• Recommended controls, using the hierarchy of controls (elimination/substitution, engineering, administrative, and PPE)
• Review and approval information (who developed it, who reviewed it, and when)

JHAs can stand alone or be used alongside Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), PPE Hazard Assessments, training materials, and other safety programs.

JHAs are most useful when they are focused on jobs with higher risk or significant change. A JHA should be developed or updated when:

• A new job, process, or piece of equipment is introduced
• A job involves higher potential for injury or serious consequences, such as:
  • Work at heights
  • Use of powered tools or machinery
  • Handling heavy or awkward loads
  • Hot work (welding, cutting, brazing)
  • Significant chemical or dust exposures
  • Electrical or Lockout/Tagout work
• There has been an incident, near-miss, or observed trend in injuries or unsafe conditions related to the job
• Conditions change, such as:
  • New materials or chemicals
  • Changes to layout, equipment, or environment
  • New staffing or skill levels
• As part of periodic review of unit operations and safety programs

Departments are encouraged to prioritize JHAs for jobs with the greatest risk or consequence and then expand their library over time.

Supervisors and Managers

• Identify jobs that need a JHA and set priorities
• Involve employees who perform the job in developing and reviewing JHAs
• Ensure JHAs are communicated and accessible (e.g., posted in shops, attached to work orders, or included in SOPs)
• Provide and verify required controls, including PPE, tools, and work practices
• Review and update JHAs after incidents, changes in the job, or at regular intervals

Employees

• Participate in JHA discussions and help describe the job steps and real-world conditions
• Follow the job steps and controls outlined in the JHA
• Report new hazards, near-misses, or changes in the job so JHAs can be updated
• Ask questions if any part of the JHA or required controls is unclear

Department / Unit Leadership

• Support time and resources for JHA development and follow-up actions
• Integrate JHAs into planning, work orders, training, and performance expectations
• Use JHA findings to support engineering changes, OSH Modification requests, and other improvements

ESSR Occupational Safety & Health

• Provide consultation and coaching to departments on developing and implementing JHAs
• Assist in prioritizing jobs, reviewing JHAs, and suggesting additional controls
• Help connect JHAs with other ESSR programs (PPE, Lockout/Tagout, respiratory protection, OSH Mod, etc.)
• Offer training and guidance on the JHA process

JHA How-To Video (Coming Soon)

View the Job Hazard Analysis How-To Video and then use the written steps below as a companion guide when completing a JHA.

The following written steps correspond to the JHA How-To video and outline how to complete a Job Hazard Analysis at UMD:

1. Select the Job
   • Choose a specific job or task, preferably one with higher risk, frequent performance, or incident history.
   • Define the scope clearly (for example, “Changing ceiling light fixtures in office areas”).
2. Break the Job into Basic Steps
   • List 6–10 key steps in the order they are performed. 
   • Each step should be a clear action, not too broad and not too detailed (for example, “Set up ladder,” “Remove old fixture,” “Install new fixture”).
3. Identify Hazards for Each Step
   • For every step, consider what could go wrong or cause harm, including:
     • Slips, trips, and falls
     • Caught-in / struck-by / struck-against hazards
     • Electrical, mechanical, or energy hazards
     • Chemical or dust exposures
     • Heat, cold, noise, and other environmental factors
     • Ergonomic stressors (lifting, pushing/pulling, awkward postures, repetitive motions)
4. Determine and Apply Controls
   • For each identified hazard, list the controls needed, using the hierarchy of controls:
     • Elimination (remove the hazard from thw work place)
     • Substitution (replace the hazard with a safer option)
     • Engineering controls (guards, ventilation, physical barriers, lift tables, etc.)
     • Administrative controls (procedures, training, scheduling, signage, supervision)
     • Personal protective equipment (PPE) as a last line of defense
5. Document the JHA
   • Use the ESSR JHA Template to record job steps, hazards, and controls. 
   • Include who prepared and reviewed the JHA and the date.
6. Review with Employees and Implement Controls
   • Review the JHA with the people who perform the job. 
   • Confirm they understand the controls and have the necessary tools, equipment, and PPE.
7. Review, Update, and Improve
   • Revisit the JHA:
     • After an incident or near-miss
     • When there are changes to the job, equipment, or environment
     • On a routine basis as part of your unit’s safety program

Job Hazard Analysis Program (Coming Soon)

• Describes the purpose, scope, and expectations for JHAs at UMD, including roles and responsibilities, review frequency, and recordkeeping.

Job Hazard Analysis Template 

• Standard form for documenting job steps, hazards, and controls. Includes fields for job or task information, location, preparer and reviewer, and review and revision dates.
  • JHA Template_English.pdf (306.61 KB)
  • JHA Template_Spanish.pdf (705.62 KB)

JHA How-To Video (Coming Soon)

• Step-by-step instructions for completing the JHA Template, including examples of common hazards and suggested controls.
• Use this resource together with the template when creating or updating JHAs.

Example JHAs

• Completed JHAs for common campus tasks that departments can adapt for their operations, such as: 
  • Material handling in shops
  • Grounds snow and ice removal
  • Custodial floor care and cleaning tasks
  • HVAC and mechanical system inspections/maintenance

• ESSR Training (Coming Soon)
  • Job Hazard Analysis Training – Available through Workday. Provides an overview of the JHA process, how to complete the template, and how to integrate JHAs into daily operations.
• Consultation and Assistance
  • To request JHA assistance, use the AskESSR form (select ‘Job Hazard Analysis’) or email osh@umd.edu.
  • OSH staff can help prioritize jobs, develop or review JHAs, and identify additional controls or improvement opportunities.
• Integration with Other ESSR Programs
  • JHAs support and inform several related safety programs, including:
    • PPE assessments and selection – Identifying tasks that require eye/face, hand, foot, hearing, or respiratory protection.
    • Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) – Defining energy control steps and safe work practices for servicing and maintenance.
    • OSH Modification Program – Documenting hazards and justifying engineering or structural controls (e.g., ventilation, lift assists, guarding).

The following external resources provide additional guidance on Job Hazard Analysis:

• OSHA_Job_Hazard_Analysis.pdf (481.33 KB)

  Overview of the JHA concept, examples, and recommended methods.

• OSHA_Job_Hazard_Analysis_Worksheet.pdf (535.79 KB)

  Step-by-step worksheet for selecting a job, breaking it into steps, identifying hazards, and choosing controls; includes a job example.

• Job_Hazard_Analysis_Guide.pdf (132.54 KB)

  Practical primer on identifying and controlling workplace hazards through JHAs.

• JSA_ASSE_Its_Role_Today.pdf (543.46 KB)

  Discussion of how JSAs/JHAs fit into modern safety management systems and risk reduction efforts.

No. Start with higher-risk jobs, jobs with incident history, or jobs that are new or significantly changing. Over time, departments can expand their JHA library to cover more routine tasks.

JHAs should be reviewed whenever there is a change in the job, equipment, materials, or work environment; after incidents or significant near-misses; and periodically as part of your unit’s safety review process.

A JHA focuses on hazards and controls for each step of the job. An SOP describes the detailed procedure for performing the job. They can be combined or cross-referenced; many units use a JHA to inform the safety content of their SOPs.

Yes. Examples can be a useful starting point, but each JHA should be reviewed and customized to match your specific equipment, layout, and work practices.

Departments should keep JHAs in a location that is accessible to supervisors and employees (e.g., shared drives, shop binders, or linked to work order systems). ESSR can maintain copies as needed when assisting with development or review.