HSE Documentation
How to Prepare a Job Safety Analysis
A practical guide to breaking a job into steps, identifying hazards, and defining controls before work starts.
What is a Job Safety Analysis?
A Job Safety Analysis, or JSA, breaks a job into clear steps. For each step, it identifies possible hazards and lists control measures that reduce the risk before the work starts.
When should a JSA be prepared?
Prepare a JSA before non-routine work, high-risk work, maintenance jobs, shutdown activities, confined-space work, lifting, hot work, electrical work, and any task where conditions can change quickly.
Basic JSA format
A simple JSA should include job title, location, date, prepared by, PPE, tools, task steps, hazards, existing controls, additional controls, responsible person, and approval.
Common mistakes
Avoid writing steps that are too broad, copying hazards without checking the actual job, missing environmental conditions, and listing PPE as the only control measure.
Suggested document structure
Use a simple structure: document title, purpose, scope, responsibilities, required information, step-by-step content, review section, approval, and revision history.
Related documents
Related guides and templates can be added here as the website grows.