So far we’ve covered the first two steps in a Job Safety Analysis; namely, identifying the job steps and identifying the hazards associated with each step. The most important step in a Job Safety Analysis is the final one–identifying the hazard controls. It answers the question, How will we mitigate or eliminate the hazards we identified in step #2 of the JSA process? [content_protector password=”jsa-3″ identifier=”jsa-3″]
JSA Step #3: Identify Controls
The first step of a Job Safety Analysis is to identify the high-level steps (or stages) of a job. The second step is to identify the hazards of each step. In each of those steps we emphasized the value in slowing things down, thinking it through, and accurately identifying everything that could get us into into trouble on the job.
The final step of a JSA (set #3) is to identify the controls that will mitigate the hazards. Continuing with our job of “mowing the lawn,” and assuming we’ve identified all the steps of that job, and the hazards of that first step (pre-job maintenance), we can now ask the question, “What will I do to mitigate or eliminate the hazards I identified in the previous JSA step?” 
Remember, pre-job maintenance hazards could include things like:
- Spills from fuel, oil or other fluids from a topping-off activity
- Cuts or lacerations from cleaning the blades
- Hand contusions from sharpening the blade or tightening screws and bolts
Using that list as a point of reference, let’s suggest some potential controls to mitigate these hazards.
Spills: To mitigate the spills we might suggest using a funnel to top off fluids, or having some absorbent and shop rags available to clean up any messes.
Cuts/Lacerations: To mitigate the cuts and lacerations from cleaning the blade, we might suggest using gloves (personal protection controls).
Hand Contusions: To prevent hand contusions while sharpening the blade we might suggest implementing an administrative control (a policy) that requires removing the blade and securing with a vice before sharpening it.
One final consideration in all this is just how we’re doing these JSAs. A JSA cannot effectively be done by a single person (say, a supervisor) who simply thinks through the job tasks while sitting in the back office. The best way to do these is in a team context, and the best people to involve in this process are those who are actually going to be doing the job. They need to be actively involved in and actively contributing to this process so that they become owners of it.
We’ll take a deeper dive into the value of making this a team activity in our next issue. But that’s it for this edition of Recordable INSIGHTS. Be sure to view the associated video below to learn more about this final step of a Job Safety Analysis. Until next time.
~ES
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