Job Safety Analysis

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When to review or revise

McElhaney said the frequency of JSAs may depend on the work that’s being performed. He went on to say that a JSA should be conducted if conditions change and new hazards are introduced to the work environment.

“If your crew discovers a new hazard, you should stop and add the hazard and reevaluate the job task,” McElhaney said, adding that employees should be empowered with stop-work authority.

Additionally, reviewing a JSA should occur when a task or process changes. Dankert said a periodic review is helpful to make sure the JSA is up to date and accurate.

Creating a periodic review process is an effective method to set safety metrics for frontline leaders, such as supervisors or foremen, “on proactive safety activity they can control,” she said.

MDOL advises employers to consider a review if injuries or near misses occur while workers are performing a certain task.

Disseminating information

As a way of distributing information, Dankert said, some employers laminate their JSA forms and attach them to equipment “so they are right there for the employees to reference.”

Another best practice is to use JSAs in as many ways as possible, she added, and offered examples: as part of new-hire orientation/training, periodic safety talks or reviews during safety meetings.

“If the organization plans right, they can find three to four ways to use them on a regular basis,” she said. “It’s not a one-and-done type of activity.”

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