Job Hazard Analysis: Free JHA Template for Small Businesses
Quick Answer
A job hazard analysis breaks a job into steps, lists the hazards in each step and records the controls that reduce them. Following OSHA's guidance, select and prioritize jobs, analyze each step, describe hazards, choose controls using the hierarchy of controls (elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE) and review the JHA regularly. Involve the workers who do the job and use the JHA for training.
Most workplace injuries happen during ordinary tasks people do every day: lifting, cutting, climbing, cleaning. A job hazard analysis takes one of those tasks, breaks it into steps and asks what could go wrong at each one and how to prevent it.
This guide includes a free JHA template and explains OSHA's steps, which jobs to analyze first, how to find hazards, how to choose controls and how to keep JHAs useful.
Note: This is general information, not safety engineering or legal advice. Specific OSHA standards may apply to your work, and some states run their own OSHA-approved plans.
What Is a Job Hazard Analysis?
OSHA describes a job hazard analysis as a step-by-step process that looks for current and potential future hazards in a workplace. It is also called a job safety analysis (JSA). A JHA focuses on the relationship between the worker, the task, the tools and the work environment.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Job | A specific task, like changing a fryer oil or unloading a truck |
| Step | One action in the job |
| Hazard | Something that could cause injury or illness |
| Control | A way to eliminate or reduce the hazard |
Free Job Hazard Analysis Template
Job Hazard Analysis
Job / task: __________ | Location: __________ | Department: __________
Prepared by: __________ | Workers involved: __________ | Date: ______ | Review date: ______
Required PPE: __________ | Required training: __________
| # | Job step | Hazards | Controls | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 | ||||
| 4 | ||||
| 5 |
Reviewed by: __________ | Approved by: __________ | Date: ______
OSHA's Steps for a Job Hazard Analysis
- Select and prioritize jobs to analyze.
- Analyze all steps of the job.
- Look for and describe hazards.
- Select, install, maintain and review controls.
- Review the job hazard analysis.
OSHA also suggests starting with a conversation with workers about the hazards they face on the job.
Choosing Which Jobs to Analyze First
You don't need a JHA for every task on day one. Start with the jobs most likely to hurt someone:
- Jobs with past injuries, illnesses or near misses.
- Jobs where one mistake could cause serious injury.
- New jobs or jobs that changed recently.
- Jobs done rarely, where people may forget steps.
- Jobs workers say feel unsafe.
Your injury records and incident reports are a good place to start. See the employee incident report form.
Breaking a Job Into Steps
Watch the job being done and list each step in order, starting each with an action word: lift, carry, cut, connect. Aim for enough detail to see the hazards but not so much that the JHA becomes a manual. Most jobs fit into roughly 5 to 10 steps. OSHA suggests that having someone other than the usual worker observe can help spot hazards that experienced workers no longer notice.
Identifying Hazards
| Ask | Hazard examples |
|---|---|
| Can someone be struck by or against something? | Falling objects, moving vehicles, sharp edges |
| Can someone get caught in or between something? | Moving machine parts, rolling carts, doors |
| Can someone slip, trip or fall? | Wet floors, cords, ladders, roofs |
| Can someone strain or overexert? | Heavy lifting, awkward positions, repetition |
| Is there contact with hot, cold, electrical or chemical hazards? | Fryers, steam, live wires, cleaning chemicals |
| Is there noise, dust, fumes or poor air? | Saws, grinders, sanding, solvents |
| Is the work environment a factor? | Heat, cold, lighting, working alone |
The Hierarchy of Controls
OSHA describes the hierarchy of controls as a way of ranking controls from most to least effective: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment.
| Control | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Elimination | Remove the hazard completely | Have materials delivered to ground level instead of carried upstairs |
| Substitution | Replace with something less hazardous | Use a less hazardous cleaning product |
| Engineering controls | Isolate people from the hazard | Machine guards, ventilation, lift tables |
| Administrative controls | Change how people work | Procedures, training, job rotation, signs |
| PPE | Protect the worker's body | Gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection |
Start at the top. PPE is important, but it's the last line of defense, not the first choice.
Involving Workers
OSHA stresses involving workers in identifying hazards and choosing controls. The people who do the job know the shortcuts, the near misses and the tools that don't work right. Ask them to review the steps, point out hazards and suggest controls. Workers are also more likely to follow controls they helped choose.
Sample Completed JHA: Changing Fryer Oil
| Step | Hazards | Controls |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Turn off fryer and let oil cool | Burns from hot oil | Wait until oil reaches the cool-down temperature set in your procedure; post sign |
| 2. Drain oil into container | Splashes, spills, slips | Use approved oil caddy; gloves, apron and face shield; dry floor |
| 3. Move container to disposal | Heavy load, spills, slips | Wheeled caddy; clear path; two people if needed |
| 4. Clean fryer | Chemical contact, sharp edges | Follow product label; gloves and eye protection |
| 5. Refill with fresh oil | Lifting strain, spills | Smaller jugs or pump; good posture |
This is an example only. Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions and your own procedures.
JHAs by Industry
| Industry | Jobs to analyze first |
|---|---|
| Construction | Ladder and roof work, trenching, power tools, material handling |
| Restaurants | Fryers, slicers, knives, hot liquids, wet floors |
| Warehouses | Forklifts, loading docks, stacking, manual lifting |
| Landscaping | Mowers, trimmers, chainsaws, chemicals, heat |
| Cleaning | Chemicals, ladders, wet floors, lifting |
| HVAC and plumbing | Attics, roofs, electrical work, confined spaces |
| Retail | Stocking, box cutters, ladders, lifting |
Using JHAs for Training
A completed JHA makes a simple training tool. Walk new employees through the steps, hazards and controls before they do the job, then watch them do it. Keep JHAs where workers can find them, and record training. See the employee training log.
Reviewing and Updating JHAs
- After an injury or near miss on that job.
- When equipment, materials or methods change.
- When workers report a new hazard.
- On a regular schedule, such as yearly.
A safety committee can own the review schedule. See how to start a workplace safety committee.
Example: A Landscaping Company
A landscaping company had several back strains in one season, mostly from unloading mulch and stone. The owner and two crew leads did a JHA on unloading and spreading materials. They switched to bulk delivery dumped close to the beds, added wheelbarrows with better tires, set a team-lift rule for bags over a set weight and rotated tasks during the day. Back strains dropped the next season.
Common JHA Mistakes
- Writing JHAs at a desk without watching the job.
- Too few or too many steps.
- Relying only on PPE.
- Not involving workers.
- Filing JHAs away instead of using them for training.
- Never updating them after changes.
JHA Checklist
| Step | Done? |
|---|---|
| Talk with workers about hazards | |
| Pick high-risk jobs first | |
| Observe the job and list steps | |
| Identify hazards for each step | |
| Choose controls using the hierarchy | |
| Train workers on the JHA | |
| Review after changes and on a schedule |
Sample Completed JHA: Unloading a Delivery Truck
| Step | Hazards | Controls |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Position truck and chock wheels | Truck movement, struck by vehicle | Spotter, wheel chocks, high-visibility vests |
| 2. Open doors and inspect load | Shifting load falling out | Open doors slowly; stand to the side |
| 3. Unload boxes by hand | Back strain, dropped boxes | Use hand truck; team lift for heavy items; keep path clear |
| 4. Move pallets with pallet jack | Crushed feet, collisions | Training; safety shoes; clear aisles |
| 5. Break down boxes | Cuts from box cutters | Safety cutters; cut away from body; gloves |
This is an example only. Adapt it to your equipment, building and procedures.
JHA Risk Rating
Some businesses add a simple risk rating to prioritize fixes. Rate how likely the hazard is and how severe the result could be, then multiply.
| Likelihood \ Severity | 1 Minor | 2 Moderate | 3 Serious |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Unlikely | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 2 Possible | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 3 Likely | 3 | 6 | 9 |
Address high scores first. Re-rate after controls are in place to confirm they worked.
JHAs and Written Procedures
A JHA and a standard operating procedure work together. The SOP explains how to do the job; the JHA explains where the hazards are and how each one is controlled. Many businesses add the controls from the JHA directly into the SOP so workers see them at the right step. See SOPs for small business.
Holding a JHA Review With Your Team
- Pick one job and invite the workers who do it.
- Walk through the job or watch it being done.
- List the steps together on a whiteboard or form.
- Ask what could go wrong at each step.
- Brainstorm controls, starting with elimination.
- Assign owners for any new controls.
- Schedule a follow-up to confirm controls are in place.
Keep it practical and short. A 30-minute session on one job often finds fixes nobody had thought about.
Tracking Corrective Actions
| Hazard | Control | Owner | Due date | Done |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☐ | ||||
| ☐ | ||||
| ☐ |
A JHA only helps if the controls actually get put in place. Track each new control until it's done and verified.
JHAs for Short or One-Time Jobs
Some jobs happen once, like moving heavy equipment or working in an unusual location. A quick pre-task review using the JHA format can still help: list the main steps, hazards and controls on one page and go over it with the crew before starting. The short time spent planning often prevents the injuries that happen when people improvise.
Questions to Ask at Each Step
- What could go wrong?
- What would the result be?
- How could it happen?
- What else could contribute, like weather, fatigue or time pressure?
- How likely is it?
OSHA's guide suggests asking questions like these to describe each hazard clearly. A clear hazard description makes it easier to pick the right control.
Health Hazards, Not Just Injuries
JHAs often focus on cuts, falls and strains, but health hazards matter too: noise, dust, fumes, chemicals, heat and repetitive motion. These may not cause an immediate injury but can cause illness over time. Include them in your hazard list, especially for jobs involving cutting, grinding, sanding, spraying or cleaning products.
Common Controls for Small Businesses
| Hazard | Possible controls |
|---|---|
| Heavy lifting | Carts, lift tables, smaller packages, team lifts |
| Wet floors | Mats, drains, cleanup procedures, slip-resistant shoes |
| Ladders | Correct ladder type, inspection, three points of contact |
| Sharp tools | Safety knives, guards, cut-resistant gloves |
| Chemicals | Less hazardous products, ventilation, labeling, gloves |
| Heat | Water, shade, rest breaks, earlier start times |
| Noise | Quieter equipment, distance, hearing protection |
Keeping JHAs Simple
A JHA doesn't need to be long. A one-page form with a handful of steps, clear hazards and practical controls is more useful than a long document nobody reads. If a JHA gets too long, consider splitting it into two jobs.
Sharing JHAs With New Hires and Temps
New and temporary workers are often at higher risk because they don't know the job or the workplace yet. Make JHAs part of onboarding for any job with significant hazards. Review the steps and controls before their first shift on that job, and pair them with an experienced worker until they show they can do it safely. See the new hire orientation checklist.
Storing and Finding JHAs
Keep JHAs in one place, organized by department and job, with the date of the last review. Post copies where the job is done or make them available on a phone or tablet. A JHA that sits in a binder in the office won't help a worker in the field.
Measuring Whether JHAs Are Working
| Measure | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Injuries on analyzed jobs | Whether controls are reducing harm |
| Near misses reported | Whether workers feel comfortable reporting |
| Controls completed on time | Whether fixes actually happen |
| JHAs reviewed on schedule | Whether JHAs stay current |
| Workers trained on JHAs | Whether the information reaches the field |
Review these with your safety committee or management team a few times a year. If injuries continue on a job with a JHA, revisit the analysis with the workers who do the job. The goal is fewer injuries, not more paperwork, so focus on the jobs where the JHA leads to real changes.
Getting Started With Your First JHA
Pick the one job that worries you most, gather the two or three people who do it most often and spend 30 minutes walking through it together using the template. Write down the steps, the hazards and the controls you agree on, assign owners for any fixes and set a date to check back. Then train everyone who does the job on what you found. After that first JHA, the next ones get faster, and you'll start to build a library that covers your highest-risk work.
Small businesses can also contact OSHA's free On-Site Consultation Program for help identifying hazards. OSHA describes it as no-cost, confidential and separate from enforcement, and it is aimed primarily at smaller businesses.
Organize Safety Work With Updoot
Updoot's SOP management keeps JHAs and safety procedures where crews can find them, and the risk register tracks hazards and actions until they're closed.