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Job Hazard Analysis & Risk Assessment Template
Risk assessment and JHA template: OSHA 3071 steps, 5x5 risk matrix, hierarchy of controls, a worked pallet-unloading JHA and PPE certification.
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What you get
- The OSHA Publication 3071 job hazard analysis method as a step-by-step procedure
- A 5x5 likelihood x severity risk matrix with defined scales and action bands
- A full worked JHA for unloading pallets from a box truck with a liftgate and pallet jack, scored before and after controls
- A blank JHA form and a PPE hazard assessment certification that meets 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2)
- UK notes: the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the HSE five steps
Template preview
A preview of the structure. Download the PDF or CSV for the complete, ready-to-use version.
JHA header
- Job or task analyzed— one task, e.g. Unload palletized freight from box truck
- Location / department— site, building, area
- JHA number and revision— e.g. JHA-WH-004 rev. 2
- Analyzed by— name and role; include at least one worker who does the job
How to run a job hazard analysis (OSHA Publication 3071)
OSHA Publication 3071, Job Hazard Analysis (2002, revised), breaks a job into steps, finds the hazards in each step and sets controls before anyone gets hurt. A JHA is not a federal form requirement on its own, but it is the evidence most OSHA inspectors and insurers ask for when they check how you found and controlled hazards, and it feeds the PPE hazard assessment that 29 CFR 1910.132(d) does require.
The OSHA 3071 method
- 1.Involve your employees. The people who do the job know where it goes wrong. Put at least one of them on the analysis.
- 2.Review your accident history. Pull injury logs (OSHA 300), first-aid records, near-miss reports and damage reports for the job.
- 3.Conduct a preliminary job review. Ask the crew which hazards they already know about. Fix anything that is an immediate danger now; do not wait for the JHA to be finished.
- 4.List, rank and set priorities for hazardous jobs. Analyze first the jobs with the most likely and most severe outcomes.
Hazard categories to check in every step
Adapted from OSHA Publication 3071, Appendix 2 (Common Hazards and Descriptions).
| Category | What it looks like | Questions to ask at each step |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical (toxic, flammable, corrosive) | Exposure through skin, breathing or ingestion; fire from vapors; burns from acids or bases | Is there a Safety Data Sheet? Is ventilation adequate? Is there an ignition source nearby? |
| Electrical (shock, fire, static, loss of power) | Contact with live parts, damaged cords, overloaded circuits, equipment failing when power drops | Are cords and plugs intact? Is lockout/tagout needed (29 CFR 1910.147)? |
| Ergonomic (strain, human error) | Overexertion, repetitive motion, awkward postures, controls that invite mistakes | How heavy is the load? How often? Is the lift above the shoulder or below the knee? |
| Fall (slip, trip, from height) | Wet or uneven floors, poor housekeeping, unguarded edges, dock and liftgate edges | Is there an edge over 4 feet (29 CFR 1910.28)? Is the walking path clear and dry? |
Severity scale (S)
| Score | Severity | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Negligible | First aid only, no lost time (e.g. minor bruise, small cut cleaned on site) |
| 2 | Minor | Medical treatment beyond first aid, no days away (e.g. stitches, prescription medication) |
| 3 | Moderate | Lost-time or restricted-duty injury, full recovery expected (e.g. back strain, sprain) |
| 4 | Major | Hospitalization, fracture, amputation or permanent partial disability |
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How to use this template
- 1
Pick the job
Start with jobs that have caused injuries, near misses or complaints, then new or changed jobs. One JHA covers one task, not a whole department.
- 2
Watch the job and list the steps
Observe a worker who does the task regularly. Write 5 to 10 steps in the order they happen, each starting with a verb.
- 3
Score each hazard before controls
For every step, ask what can go wrong, then rate likelihood (1–5) and severity (1–5). Multiply to get the initial risk score.
- 4
Add controls and re-score
Work down the hierarchy of controls, then rate the residual risk. Any residual score of 10 or more needs more controls or a manager sign-off.
- 5
Train, post and review
Walk the crew through the finished JHA, keep it at the work area, and review it after any incident, equipment change or at least once a year.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a risk assessment and a job hazard analysis?
A job hazard analysis is one type of risk assessment. It breaks a single task into steps and looks for hazards in each step. A general risk assessment can cover a whole site, activity or process. In practice most teams use the same 5x5 scoring for both, and a set of JHAs for your highest-risk tasks makes up much of the evidence behind a site risk assessment.
Does OSHA require a job hazard analysis?
No general OSHA standard requires a document titled JHA. OSHA does require a written PPE hazard assessment certification under 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2), and several standards require hazard evaluations, such as permit-required confined spaces. OSHA Publication 3071 recommends JHAs as the practical way to find and control hazards, and some state plans, like Cal/OSHA, require a written injury and illness prevention program.
How do you calculate a risk score on a 5x5 matrix?
Multiply the likelihood score (1 to 5) by the severity score (1 to 5). A step rated Possible (3) with a Major outcome (4) scores 12, which falls in the High band of 10 to 16. Score each hazard twice: once with no added controls and once after controls, so you can show the reduction and decide whether the residual risk is acceptable.
How often should a JHA be reviewed?
Review a JHA after any injury or near miss on that task, whenever equipment, materials or the method change, and at least once a year. OSHA 3071 also recommends reviewing it with the workers who do the job so missed steps come to light. Record the revision number and date on the form each time you update it.
Who should complete a job hazard analysis?
A supervisor or safety lead usually runs it, but at least one worker who does the task regularly should help write it. OSHA 3071 lists involving employees as the first step because they know the shortcuts, workarounds and near misses that never reach a report. For complex or high-risk jobs, bring in a safety professional or your insurer's loss-control consultant.
Do UK employers have to write down their risk assessment?
Yes, if they employ five or more people. Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires every employer to assess risks, and those with five or more employees must record the significant findings: the hazards, who might be harmed and how, and the controls in place. Smaller employers still have to do the assessment.