How is a job safety analysis (JSA) developed?

On 31 March 2022, the Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws replaced the health and safety elements of the Mines Safety and Inspection laws. For information visit www.demirs.wa.gov.au/whs

Transitional arrangements may be in place for the compliance requirements on this page.

All health and safety notifications, forms and guidance for mining and petroleum has moved to the WorkSafe website

When should a job safety analysis (JSA) be done?

To ensure hazards, unwanted events and potential risks are properly captured and addressed, a job safety analysis (JSA) should be performed at the job site prior to carrying out the job.

During the assignment of a job that has inadequate or no procedures, the work team (with or without the participation of the supervisor) should complete a JSA.

At the completion of the JSA process, the supervisor should review and sign off the JSA where appropriate.

In general, a JSA should only be applied to a job when:

  • the potential risks are known to be low
  • there is no safe work procedure (SWP) or similar document
  • developing, modifying or reviewing an SWP or similar document.

When should a JSA not be done?

If a job is considered to be ‘high risk’ by the supervisor or the team, a formal risk assessment (other than a JSA) should be conducted by an appropriate team.

A JSA should not be conducted as the primary tool to identify hazards and controls where the job:

  • has the potential for serious injuries, illness, equipment damage or environmental harm
  • is new and has not been conducted before
  • is of a long duration (i.e. over one shift)
  • involves multiple work teams
  • is known to have had a history of accidents or near-misses
  • is unusual or complex
  • involves the use of new equipment, tools or chemicals
  • involves interaction with many interdependent systems (such as electrical, mechanical or hydraulic systems).

Process

The JSA process can be summarised under the following steps:

  • document the activity - assemble those involved in the activity and, using a JSA worksheet, write down the tasks that make up the activity, step by step
  • identify the hazards - for each task, identify what part of the task may cause injury to those doing the work or to anyone else nearby
  • document the control measures - for each hazard identified, list the measures that need to be implemented to eliminate or minimise any likely risk of injury to those involved
  • identify who is responsible - document the name of the person responsible for implementing the control measure
  • monitor and review - ensure the activity is supervised to confirm the documented process is being followed, and review the JSA when
    • a documented activity changes
    • there is a change of personnel
    • after an appropriate length of time.

Training

Appropriate training, competency and understanding of the task is required for the supervisor to:

  • determine the level of risk associated with a job attracts
  • know when to recommend carrying out a more appropriate risk assessment than a JSA.