Which is More Effective: The Inspection or JHA?
The Job Hazard Analysis is more effective in eliminating and reducing injuries and illnesses in the workplace because it not only uncovers hazardous conditions, it also identifies unsafe work practices and procedures. The walk-around inspection, just by the nature of the process, limits the time an inspector can give to analyzing work practices. Consequently, the inspection emphasizes assessing for conditions. Unfortunately, most accidents are the result of unsafe practices and procedures.
The JHA, on the other hand, does take the time necessary to critically analyze each step of a job for both hazardous conditions and unsafe practices. The result is that most of the causes for accidents are discovered and changes made to prevent their occurrence. An effective JHA has the potential of significantly reducing injury and illness rates in the workplace.
The JHA may also be used by the employer as a training tool. In fact, the JHA can become a very useful lesson plan for conducting on-the-job training on hazardous tasks for new employees.
| BASIC TASK STEP | HAZARDS - POSSIBLE INJURIES | PREVENTIVE MEASURES |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Spotter: Spot position of trailer as it nears loading dock. | Spotter could be caught between trailer and dock. | Caution: Stay clear of the rear of the trailer as it is being backed into position. Note: Keep others away from the area. |
| 2. Driver: When trailer is in position, turn engine off, set parking brake, and notify forklift operator. | Driver could be injured if he/she jumps off the truck. | Warning: Never jump off the cab or back of the trailer. |
| 3. Driver: Set chocks. | Driver could strike head on trailer. Driver could trip, slip, fall while in the dock well. |
Warning: Avoid striking the trailer when setting the wheel chocks. Caution: Use handrails and use care when walking on slippery surfaces. |
| SAFE JOB PROCEDURE | ||
Step 1. Spotter: Position the vehicle. Spot the position of the trailer as it nears the loading dock. Make sure the trailer is correctly positioned in the dock well. Warning: It's important to follow these procedures so you don't get caught between the trailer and dock when the trailer is backing up to the dock. Note: Be sure to keep others away from the area. Remove the awareness chain or bar from the front of the dock door once the trailer is properly positioned. Step 2. Driver: When the trailer is in position, verify the vehicle has been turned off, set the parking brake, and notify the forklift operator. Warning: When exiting the truck, never jump. Many drivers are injured jumping from the cab of the truck or back of the trailer. Step 3. Driver: Set the chocks. After exiting the truck, chock the wheels. Warning: Be sure not to strike your head against the truck while setting the chocks. Caution: Be careful when walking on slippery surfaces and use handrails when using ramps or stairs. |
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4-4. Why is the JHA better than the safety inspection as a tool to help keep employees safe?
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