Recognizing and controlling workplace hazards

Objective To explain a job hazard analysis and encourage employees to recognize and evaluate workplace hazards SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Background A hazard is the potential for harm A condition or activity that, if left uncontrolled, can result in an injury or illness SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Job hazard analysis (JHA) A job hazard analysis helps identify hazards before they occur Ideally, uncontrolled hazards are identified, then steps taken to eliminate or reduce them to an acceptable risk level SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Why is JHA important? Many workers are injured and killed at the workplace every day in the United States SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Why is JHA important? Employees and supervisors can work together to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses Look at workplace operations Establish proper job procedures Ensure that all employees are trained properly SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Why is JHA important? One of the best ways to determine and establish proper work procedures is to conduct a job hazard analysis SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

What is the value of a JHA? Supervisors can use the JHA to eliminate and prevent hazards, resulting in fewer injuries and illnesses The JHA also can be a valuable tool for training new employees to perform their jobs safely SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

What jobs should get a JHA? Priority should go to these jobs: Jobs with the highest injury or illness rates; Jobs that have the potential to cause severe or disabling injuries or illness; Jobs where one simple human error could lead to a severe accident or injury; SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

What jobs should get a JHA? Priority should go to these jobs: New jobs or those that have undergone changes in processes and procedures; and Jobs that are complex enough to require written instructions SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Why is it important for employees to participate? Employees have a unique understanding of the job they do every day This knowledge helps find hazards SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Why is it important for employees to participate? Employee participation will: help minimize oversights; ensure a quality analysis; and allow employees to share ownership in their own safety and health SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Ask questions for each task: What can go wrong? What are the consequences? How could it arise? What are other contributing factors? How likely is it that the hazard will occur? SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Then describe: Where it is happening (environment)? Who or what it is happening to (exposure)? What precipitates the hazard (trigger)? The outcome that would occur should it happen (consequence) List any other contributing factors SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Sample JHA form SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Hazard control measures Managers will use the JHA to establish hazard control measures SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Hazard control measures 1. Engineering controls Elimination/minimization Enclosure Isolation Removal or redirection SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Hazard control measures 2. Administrative controls Written operating procedures Exposure time limitation Monitoring use Alarms, sign, and warnings Buddy system Training SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Hazard control measures 3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) If the hazard cannot be eliminated entirely, the control measures will likely be a combination of engineering, administrative, and PPE used all at once SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Review Job hazards result in injuries and deaths every day in the U.S. A job hazard analysis can be used to identify and eliminate risks, and to establish training procedures for new employees SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Review Employees are often the best ones to evaluate job hazards Once hazards are identified, managers can establish control measures to eliminate or manage the hazard SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.