A Job Safety Analysis (JSA) is a procedure which helps in accepting, implementing health & safety principles, and practicing into a particular or specific job operation.

In Job Safety Analysis (JSA) the main task activity is divided into sub-parts, and hazards with associated risks are identified, and evaluated for their risk level, so that appropriate control measures are adopted. The control measures help in reducing the risk level, and selecting appropriate control measures.

Job Safety Analysis require the employer to;

1. Form a team for conducting Job Safety Analysis - The team should consist of management and field workers with relevant skills and previous experience.
2. Prioritize the task activity that is to be done, for job safety analysis.
3. Divide the task into sub-parts for relevant hazard identifications and risk evaluation.
4. Prioritize the hazards, and associated risk level.
5. Analyze the existing control measures, and suggest new ones to reduce risk level.

Download the Articulated or Knuckle Boom Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) Inspection Checklist👈

Articulated or Knuckle Boom is a work platform used to perform the job at the height specially in those areas where work platform can't reach directly. The use of the Articulated or Knuckle Boom mobile elevated work platform is not limited to this, but it is used to reach over the obstructions. It helps the workers to perform the work around the fixtures, walls, machinery, in a tight workspace, in a safe manner.

The work equipment helps and eases the work activity but poses a range of serious threats to the workers. The machinery can toppled and collapse during work activity execution, if not maintained, or gets overloaded, the worker can fell down during work activity, fire and explosion can be observed, workers working nearby can hit by the moving objects, etc.

To perform the work activity safely, it is necessary the machinery is maintained, serviced, and ready to be used in a good shape. It should be inspected by a competent person before work activity, and operated by the trained person. The workers working on it should be trained and experienced of working at height. They should be provided with work cage provided with guard rails, door, and anchor point to attach their harness.

The machine should be placed on safe, hard location, away from the overhead power lines, and outriggers should be deployed. Firefighting, and emergency equipment should be available nearby and ready to be used.

Follow the above☝link to download the Articulated or Knuckle Boom Mobile Elevated Work Platform Inspection Checklist. The checklist is a sample form, the user can download it and modify it according to work activity, or equipment being used.

Download the Truck Mounted Drilling Rig Inspection Checklist in MS Word Format👈

Truck Mounted Drilling Rig is used to make drill into the earth surface for extracting the fluid e.g., water, in those areas where the operation is to be performed on small scale. Moreover the whole setup is small in size, easy to transport from location to location.

The above link can be used to download the Inspection Checklist specially tailored to inspect the whole equipment including truck, and the drilling rig together before start of the job and on periodic basis to ensure it is well maintained, inspected before use, and free of defects.

The use can modify the document according to the need, and type of equipment, since a wide range of the truck mounted drilling rigs is available in the market.

Download the Evacuation Report Form👈

Evacuation report is used to document the evacuation process details to ensure it is used as record as well as for review to make improvements. The Evacuation is a process of leaving an area and proceeding to safe location in case of emergency e.g., Fire, Spillage, Gas Release etc.

The form is developed in Microsoft Word format and it is editable. The user can modify it according to the need and if required, add further items. Use the link☝download the document.

Preventing Heat Stress

What is Heat Stress?

Heat stress is defined as the discomfort, psychological strain perceived due to exposure to a hot environment. For example, a person who is working in a hot environment either in the sun or in a high-temperature area where surrounding machines and plants will be energized and heat produced with raising the temperature.

The normal human body temperature is 98°F (38°C) is maintained constantly by the body naturally. Sometimes, the body raises the temperature faster than the cooling ability of the body, body suffers heat stress. Body temperature can rise due to a lot of factors, e.g., working at a high temperature can make the human body overwhelm the regulating abilities. As a result, the body can't cool itself off fast enough, and overheating occurs.

In simple words, it can be stated that the;

Heat Stress is the stress placed on the human body when it attempts and fails to cope with the excessive interna heat.

Effects of Heat Stress

People love both warm, moderate, and cold environments, and sometimes we travel to other areas to enjoy the climate. For example, people from warm areas, visit cold-weather destinations to get relax and enjoy the weather.

Staying warm is a human instinct, still excessive heat puts a strain on the human body and forces it to regulate the internal temperature. If this one factor combines, with other factors, the potential for Heat Stress exists, and some other factors are listed below;

1. Physical Work Activity
2. Hard Labour Activity
3. Loss of Human Body Fluids
4. Fatigue, Tiredness

1. Heat Cramp
2. Heat Exhaustion
3. Heat Stroke

Heat Stress Factors

Temperature alone causes heat stress seldom, as compared to others. Heat stress is the combination of the many factors which together raise the body temperature rapidly.

These factors are listed below;

1. Temperature
2. Humidity
3. Air movement
4. Radiation temperature from surroundings
5. Clothes being worn
6. Direct contact with the hot objects, surfaces, etc.
7. The physical activity being performed
8. Loss of fluid during work
9. Fatigue

Where Heat Stress can occur, and who is vulnerable to it?

Heat stress can occur in a variety of working environments and conditions. To suffer heat stress, the human body doesn't require to be in a warm tropical climate or desert. If you are working near hot surface machinery e.g., boiler, heat stress can occur since the heat produced by the surface is more than your body's cool off ability.

Anyone can suffer heat stress, but keep in mind, every body has different abilities to cool off the body, and some people can develop heat stress symptoms more rapidly than others. The bottom line is, anyone, can become a victim of heat stress if the environmental conditions overwhelm the body's ability to regulate its temperature and cool off regularly. Since it is a hazard to the human body, awareness about Heat Stress is the key to controlling it.

How does the body regulate Internal Temperature?

The normal body temperature is 98°F (38°C) maintained by the body automatically around the clock. A sudden variation in the temperature and the human body starts compensating the internal body temperature immediately, by employing the body's built-in thermoregulatory system. On top of this, the skin plays as a detecting sensor and communicates the change in outer temperature to the internal thermoregulatory system to compensate for the change.

In cold conditions, the body starts shivering when the body is cold, to produce friction in the muscles to produce the heat, on the other hand, in hot conditions, the blood circulation to the skin is increased to dissipate the excessive internal heat through the skin. If the human body is involved in the work activity, less blood is flown to the skin to dissipate the excessive heat. In both cases, sweating takes place, and the body's core temperature is controlled.

Body Overheating Circumstances

Working in the same place for a long time in increasing temperature can lead to body temperature increase, body fluids loss, body fatigue. Ultimately, the alertness of the body decreases to the minimum, the worker responds to the activities slowly as compared to the normal response.

Health Hazards

Temperature around the body raises to the maximum, more than the body's temperature, skin is provided with maximum blood to dissipate the excessive heat. Evaporation of sweating remains the only effective way to get rid of excessive heat.

Since the blood and sweating are being used to get rid of the excessive internal heat, less blood, and liquids are available to supply the body's active muscles and organs. If the body can't reduce its core temperature through flowing blood and sweating, the heat storage will begin, serious risks start existing e.g., heatstroke.

Heat-Related Illness

Heat-related illnesses can range from heat rashes and sunburn to cramps, exhaustion, and heat stroke. Heat cramp, sunburn, and exhaustion turn out to be discomfort, but they are not life-threatening. Heat exhaustion is a more serious condition, that can lead to heatstroke.

Heat Cramps are spasm that occurs during or after muscle exhaustion, sweating in a hot environment. They occur in the legs, muscles, and are caused by heavy sweating, because of drainage of the body's salt and fluids in excessive quantity.

The best treatment of the heat cramp is to stay and rest in cool areas, work in less hot times, and take an excessive amount of fluids regularly to keep the body hydrated. A normal diet provides a required amount of salts to the human body. Commercial fluids that contain electrolytes are also beneficial, whereas alcohol shouldn't be used to replace the lost fluids.

Heat Exhaustion develops when the body loses more fluids than it takes in and causes the body's cooling system to start breaking down. People suffering the heat exhaustion can be seen as weak, lazy, clumsy, confused, and upset. Heat exhaustion symptoms are listed below;

1. Heavy Sweating
2. Cool, Moist Skin
3. Weak Pulse

1. Move the worker or yourself to the cool area
2. Remove the excessive clothes
3. Provide plenty of fluids to the worker to drink and cool down the body
4. Spray cold water to cool down the body temperature
5. Keep the person in front of the fan
6. If the situation deteriorates, call the emergency services and shift to the hospital for proper treatment

Heat Stroke & Treatment

Heatstroke occurs when the body's internal temperature regulating function no longer compensates with the outer temperature. There are very few symptoms that warn that a crisis stage has been reached and need immediate action, since the body has ceased body colling function, and started storing heat from surroundings. Few symptoms are listed below;

1. Low or no sweating
2. Hot and dry skin even if the worker was sweating earlier
3. A rise in the body's internal temperature
4. Weakness, dizziness, nauseous
5. Unconsciousness

1. Cool off the person immediately
2. Submerge the person in the water or spray water on him immediately
3. Keep the person in front of fan
4. Alert the emergency services immediately, without any delay
5. Shift the person to the nearest hospital for proper treatment

Preventive Control Measures

1. Reduce the temperature of the working area through engineering controls.
2. Provide shielding against heat-producing objects.
3. The workplace should be provided with ventilation.
4. Workplace temperature should be monitored and maintained.
5. Increase air movement within the workplace using exhaust fans and air conditioners.
6. Divide the work activity, and perform in low-temperature times.
7. Prepare the Risk Assessments and evaluate the work activity for risks.
8. Provide workers with welfare facilities on the worksite.
9. Work activity should be done with break intervals and well monitored.
10. Workers should be trained and informed about working in hot environments.
11. Proper clothing should be provided to the workers working in the hot environment.

Download the Multi Wheel Roller Inspection Checklist👈

Multi Wheel Roller is used for the initial compaction and preparation of the roads, walkways, foundations during the civil work. The vehicle consists of the multiple wheels and all provide an uniform pressure throughout the width of the road/ walkway, foundation.

Follow the link mentioned above👆and download the Multi Wheel Roller Inspection Checklist to inspect the vehicle and ensure it is safe for use, and well maintained.

Near Miss incidents occur at the workplace during the job activity, and it is recorded that the number of near miss incidents is higher than the incidents deliver harm to the worker, equipment, and causing financial losses.

Near Miss incidents if not stopped through corrective actions, these turn into loss causing events in the coming future. Similarly, these incidents are not reported neither investigated to find out the root causes so corrective actions can't be taken as well.

It is necessary all kind of incidents are reported and record, and organization launch incident investigation to find the root causes so that appropriate corrective actions are adopted to correct them before they reoccur.

Follow the link above☝to download the Near Miss Report Form and use as per your own need. Further Near Miss Reporting Procedure, and other forms can be found here👇.

Near Miss Reporting Procedure & Form

Near Miss Report Form - 2

Near Miss Report Form - 3

The equipment consists of a large column placed on the floor, secured, and a motor is mounted on it to power the drill machine. The main purpose of the drill machine is to make large holes, to the depth in big pieces of the objects. The drill machine is also used to make the existing holes large as per need.

The main drill machine comes with controls to lower and raise the drill machine during the work execution. Not only this, the table also has control to adjust it according to the work requirements.

The link above ☝ can be used to download the Pedestal Drill Machine Inspection Checklist in Microsoft Word and ensure the equipment is safe for use, well maintained, and operated by the competent person.

Personal Protective Equipment is the last barrier of defence against the hazard where it can be eliminated completely. These PPEs protect the worker and ensure he doesn't get injured. These PPEs have specific standards with respect to industry and their maintenance is also mandatory.

Use the link mentioned above ☝download the PPEs inspection checklist and ensure the PPEs are in good shape, properly maintained, and if there is any defect, they are discarded immediately.

Bench Mounted Power Cutter is used for the same purpose, the portal powered cutter is used. The difference is portable power cutter can be used and usable in any position while the bench-mounted power cutter is mounted on a bench, comes with a base plate and adjustable equipment.

Follow the link ☝above to download the checklist to inspect the equipment and ensure it is in good condition, safe for use.

Power cutter is used to cut deep into the material, for example, clean cutting of concrete. The equipment's use is not limited to concrete only, it can be used for other materials as well for example, wood, metal etc, after installing the relevant cutting blade.

The Power cutter is available in two different forms, one is portable/ handheld, can be transported from location to location mostly used in cutting concrete , installed pipes, etc. The other one is bench mounted, that comes with the proper work table attached to the cutter used for cutting the material e.g., pipe before installation.

Use the link above 👆to download the Power Cutter Inspection checklist to inspect the equipment before use to ensure it is fit for job.

Download the Angle Grinder Inspection Checklist👈

Angle grinder is a handheld power tool used in fabrication activities including, cutting, grinding, deburring, finishing, & polishing. The grinder is either powered by power cord or by inbuilt battery. The equipment consists of a fast rotating disc used for the various activities as mentioned above.

The equipment poses serious hazards to the human operating it and those who are working nearby. A list of hazards is available below;

1. Due to faulty, broken, damaged insulation wiring can cause electrocution.
2. Use of equipment with damaged insulation wire can cause fire and explosion if used near flammable material.
3. The rotating disc can break if used inappropriately, or used wrong type of disc for job activity. The broken disc part can hit the operator or nearby person.
4. Operator's hand cut is possible if not used with guard.
5. Inhalation of produced fumes, gases, and dusts can lead to diseases.
6. Noise produced during the work activity can cause hearing loss problems.
7. Object being cut can slip due to sudden start of the grinder, if held weakly, and hit someone nearby.
8. Entanglement of clothes and jewellery is possible during work activity.

Portable Angle Grinder

A jigsaw is used in cutting woods, in shapes, curves etc on regular basis. Its slim blade helps in making shapes, and curves to give a good shape according to the need. The slim blade of the equipment can be loaded to the equipment through a spring-loading clamp at the front side.

The equipment makes the work easy in giving a smooth beautiful shape to the wood piece, and also poses a range of hazards, to the operator. These hazards need to be identified, for this purpose, use the Inspection Checklist to inspect the equipment before use. Follow the link above to download the form and inspect the equipment before start of the activity.

The equipment should be in good condition, the power cord or battery should be correctly attached, in good condition, and well insulated. The safety guard, control buttons, and lock button should be good, functional, and working properly. The equipment should be inspected for electrocution possibility if any faulty gadget is being used.

If equipment is found unfit during the inspection, the equipment should be replaced with new one and remove from the worksite to save life of operator.

Download the Screw Driver Inspection Checklist👈

Screw Driver is a tool used to drive screws either manually or through power. These power sources can be either corded or without cord. As screw driver makes work easy, it poses a range of hazards and threats to the operator, e.g., hit by broken screw driver bit, entanglement, punching the body accidentally, as well as electrocution if damaged equipment is used.

Download the Drill Machine Inspection Checklist👈

Drill machine is basic part of working industry where workers use the drill machine for making holes in the wall as well as in the material. The drill machine is powered by the cord, or built-in battery. The drill machine makes the work easy for worker to make hole but poses a range of hazards to the user as well as the nearby people.

For example, the worker using the drill machine can be electrocuted, or can suffer injuries due to broken drill bit. The nearby people can also get hit by the flying parts of the broken drill bit. During drilling, the production of fumes, dust, is certain, and worker can inhale so breathing problem is possible.

The drill machine should be inspected by a competent person to ensure it is safe for use and well maintained. The inspection form can be used to inspect the equipment. Follow the link above ☝to inspect the equipment.

Job Safety Analysis (JSA) vs Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)

Introduction

• A Job Safety Analysis (JSA) is a safety management technique or process in which a safety professional focuses on the hazards and corresponding risks associated with a job activity in the workplace.
• A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is a term used by the safety professional to focus on the activity tasks to identify the associated hazards to ensure they are countered before they occur.

Job Safety Analysis is a safety management tool, in which the risks or hazards of a specific job in the workplace are identified, and then comprehensive preventive and countermeasures are taken to eliminate them.

Not limited to implementing the controls, Job Safety Analysis also dictates how to perform a task step-by-step, any hazards associated with a task, and controls to mitigate these hazards. JSAs can be used to educate employees on safe practices prior to utilizing the equipment.

Hazard & Effects Management Process (HEMP) is implemented at the task level to identify the hazards, assess the associated risk of each element of the task, and define the appropriate control measures to ensure the risk level is mitigated to the minimum reasonable level.

Download the Wired Circular Saw Inspection Checklist👈

Circular saw is used in every industry for cutting purpose. The circular saw is either powered by a cord, or built-in rechargeable battery. If the equipment is to be used for a day long, or continuously, the equipment should be power corded for ideal performance and uninterrupted process.

As the equipment delivers the best performance, it also poses hazards that can deliver great loss to the operator, the people working nearby as well as property. These hazards need to be controlled and mitigated to ensure the loss can be controlled.

For this purpose, follow the link above ☝and download the Wired Circular Saw Inspection Checklist in Microsoft Word format and modify it according to your need. The checklist can be used to inspect the vehicle for any kind of damage, and physical appearance and highlight the defects, problems for correction, if detected during the inspection.

Download the Powered Tools Inspection Checklist👈

Powered tools are used in every industry, for various jobs execution. These tools can be available in form of drill machine, cutter, disc cutter, grinder, router etc., installed with power cord or battery to power the tool. 

These tools are useful in executing the job but also pose a lot of risks to the operator and other people. These tools can cause loss to the operator, organization in form of electrocution, fire, explosion, injuries, as well as damage to the product during the operation.

According to the legal requirements, the organization is liable to provide safe and correct tool for job completion. To ensure the equipment is safe for use, inspection by a competent person is necessary. Follow the link☝ to download the Inspection Form in MS word form and modify it according to need.

Download the Rescue Basket Stretcher Inspection Checklist👈

Rescue Basket Stretcher is used in special emergency cases, such as the mountains, offshore marine etc. The basket is attached to the lifting machine e.g., rescue helicopter through a sling, makes it ideal solution to deal with any special emergency situation.

The basket is used to airlift the patient or injured person from the area where helicopter can't land due to unfavorable conditions. The patient is placed in it and harnessed with the helicopter.

Click on the link above☝to download the Rescue Basket Stretcher Inspection Checklist in MS Word format.

Download the Risk Assessment Form in MS Word Format👈

A risk assessment is a formal procedure to identify the hazards that exist in the workplace on routine basis as well as those that can be introduced due to any non-regular activity, new tool, newly induct employee and any other factor.

The risk is evaluated and those who can be affected due to these risks are identified so that appropriate control measures are suggested and implemented. The control measures are adopted to ensure the activity is prevented to avoid harm and if prevention is not possible, risk reduction is performed.

The risk assessment is not only performed to prevent physical harm, but also financial harm as well. The financial harm arises due to loss of reputation, punitive actions, citations, etc. 

Risk Assessment is an important part of Risk Management, it required a competent person with skills, experience, knowledge to perform the Risk Assessment. Follow the link mentioned above to download the Risk Assessment Form in MS Excel format and modify it according to your need.