University of Minnesota Duluth Job Hazard Analysis Assessing Risk & Eliminating Hazards Prepared by: Mahjoub Labyad Environmental Health and Safety Office

What is a Job Hazard Analysis?  A technique to identify hazards, and prevents accidents before they occur.  It focuses on the relationship between the worker, the task, the tools, the work environment and resulting consequences. When all uncontrolled hazards and resulting effects/harm are identified, safe SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) summarizing steps to be taken to eliminate/reduce hazards to an acceptable risk level will be implemented.

What is a Hazard? Any source with the potential to cause damage, harm, or adverse (health) effects on something or someone under certain conditions at work. The adverse effect or harm is caused to individuals (as health effects), or to organizations (as property damage, or equipment loss). A hazard is the potential for harm!

Hazard Types Biological - bacteria, viruses, insects, plants, birds, animals, and humans, etc., Chemical - depends on the physical, chemical and toxic properties of the chemical. Ergonomic - repetitive movements, improper set up of workstation, etc., Physical - radiation, magnetic fields, pressure extremes (high pressure or vacuum), noise, etc, Psychosocial - stress, violence, etc., Safety - slipping/tripping hazards, lack of machine guarding, equipment malfunctions or breakdowns

Examples of Hazards and Their Effects Workplace Hazard Source Hazard Examples of the Harm Caused EquipmentNeedle/Knife/BladeNeedle stick/Cuts SubstanceBenzeneCancer: Leukemia MaterialAsbestosCancer: Mesothelioma EnergyElectricityShock, electrocution ConditionWet floorSlips, falls Process/Practice Welding Harmful fumes, loud noises fire, glaring light.. Metal fume fever Fire Practice/Process Rock mining/sand blasting/Silicon Cancer/ Silicosis HumanBacteriaTuberculosis (TB) CigaretteSmoke Lung cancer/ Emphysema

Other Examples of Hazards Noise levels (>85 dBA 8 hr TWA) that result in hearing damage or inability to communicate safety-critical information. Struck By Accelerated object that strikes the body causing injury or death. (Examples are falling objects and Accelerated projectiles.) Fire Harm to individuals, or Damage to property

A word about risk? The probability, or likelihood that an adverse event will occur in which: A person (worker) will be harmed or experience an adverse health effect if exposed to a hazard, or The organization (employer) will sustain property damage, equipment loss, and therefore an economical setback. [ Risk is the Chance of Loss! ]

How to identify hazards? What can go wrong? What are the consequences? How likely is it that harm will occur? Where it is happening (environment)? Who or what it is happening to (exposure)? What precipitates the hazard (triggers)? Are there other contributing factors?

How are Appropriate Preventive Measures Determined? Eliminating the hazard :  Through engineering controls, such as increasing ventilation  Product substitution, or (using les toxic materials)  Changing equipment or tools. Containing the hazard  Separating the employee from the hazard with enclosures, guards, booths, etc. Administrative measures  Revising work procedures, (changing the sequence of steps or adding steps, such as lockout/ tagout).  Retraining employees Choosing Adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (This is the least effective control measure, and should be used only if other solutions are not possible)

Job Hazard Analysis Further Information on Job Hazard Analysis may be obtained from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Booklet with the same title “Job Hazard Analysis”