Implementing a Job Safety Analysis ("JSA") program is an effective way to improve safety performance. The JSA process is beneficial because it involves employees and gives them a way to participate in safety decisions, which usually leads to better compliance.
Here are 10 best practices for improving your JSA program.
Management commitment. Management commitment is key to an effective JSA process. Management can show this commitment by:
- Observing and participating in JSA meetings during site safety visits
- Conducting audits of the JSA process during site safety visits
- Holding employees and supervisors accountable for JSAs
Involving the right people in the JSA process. The purpose of the JSA is to make sure that the employees who will be conducting a task understand the hazards and how to mitigate them, so the entire crew involved in the task should participate in the JSA process.
Participant engagement. You should make sure all participants are active and engaged in the process, not just going through the motions of the JSA. The JSA leader needs to ask questions and seek input from all of the participants. The more involved the crew is, the more successful the process will be.
Preparation. Set up a clear process for determining what jobs require a JSA at your company and allow sufficient time for the JSA process to be conducted prior to beginning the job.
Pre-Job Inspections. Conduct a pre-job inspection to ensure that all hazard mitigation plans identified during the JSA process have actually been implemented.
JSA documentation. Your JSA worksheet should include the following information:
- List of job tasks
- List of related hazards associated with each task
- List hazard mitigation plan for each task (PPE or changes in procedures)
- Assign accountability for mitigation
- Document who participated and have supervisor sign off on form
- Include a hazard checklist to help your employees identify risks
Handling change. Watch for changing job conditions that might require changes to the JSA. Determine when it is appropriate to stop a job due to changing conditions or awareness of new hazards to go back and revise the JSA.
Post-job evaluation. Conduct a post-job evaluation to determine how effective the JSA was at mitigating risk. Determine if anything went wrong and revise the JSA accordingly for the next time that job is performed.
JSA review and auditing. The most effective JSA programs include regular audits of the JSA process. You should include "desktop" audits of your JSA documentation as well as field audits where an independent auditor reviews the job being performed and the crew's adherence to the requirements listed in the JSA.
Develop an action plan to address any deficiencies in the JSA procedure. If you discover a break down in your JSA process, determine corrective actions and develop a plan for completing them. These action items should be tracked to ensure completion.
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