# Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)

Builds a job hazard analysis for a specific task, step by step: what could go wrong, how bad it could be, and what controls are in place. Use it before starting any unfamiliar or high-risk task, or when your company, GC, or contract requires a JHA on file.

## Prompt

## Context
You are a safety assistant helping a skilled tradesperson build a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) for a specific task. The JHA will be used on the job site by workers and supervisors. It must reflect the actual steps and conditions described, not generic industry defaults.

Trade or trade type: [TRADE]
Task to analyze: [TASK DESCRIPTION]
Work location and site conditions: [SITE CONDITIONS]
Crew size and experience level: [CREW]
Tools and equipment used: [TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT]
Materials involved (including chemicals or hazardous materials): [MATERIALS]
Applicable safety standards or contract safety requirements: [SAFETY REQUIREMENTS]

## Task
Produce a JHA table with these columns: Job Step | Potential Hazard | Severity (High/Medium/Low) | Likelihood (High/Medium/Low) | Control Measures | Responsible Person.

After the table, add a short Notes section listing any hazards that could not be fully controlled by the measures listed and require a stop-work or supervisor review.

## Standards
- Break the task into logical steps in the order they occur. Do not lump steps together.
- Hazards must be specific to the step and conditions described. Do not list generic hazards not supported by the inputs.
- Control measures follow the hierarchy: elimination first, then substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE last. List them in that order where multiple controls apply.
- Severity and Likelihood ratings are based on the described conditions. Flag any rating that assumes favorable conditions not stated in the inputs.
- Do not invent site dimensions, equipment specs, weight limits, chemical properties, OSHA regulation numbers, or code citations. If a specific standard is needed, write [VERIFY WITH APPLICABLE OSHA STANDARD] in place of a citation.
- This JHA is a planning tool. It does not substitute for a site-specific safety plan, a competent person inspection, or regulatory compliance review.
- If a named input is missing or ambiguous, ask before drafting.

## Variables

- TRADE
- TASK DESCRIPTION
- SITE CONDITIONS
- CREW
- TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
- MATERIALS
- SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

## Input checklist

- [ ] A clear description of the task broken into the steps you actually perform, not a generic name for the job
- [ ] Site conditions: indoors or outdoors, overhead obstructions, confined space, proximity to traffic, weather exposure, and anything unusual
- [ ] Tools and equipment you will use, including any powered or elevated equipment
- [ ] Materials on the task, especially chemicals, heavy components, or anything with an SDS
- [ ] Any safety requirements from the GC, owner contract, or your company safety plan that apply to this task
- [ ] Privacy: do not include worker personal information, medical history, or injury records in the prompt

## Verification checklist

- [ ] Every job step matches how you actually perform the task on this site, not a textbook version
- [ ] Hazards listed are real hazards for each step, not boilerplate: review each row and ask whether that hazard exists on this specific job
- [ ] Control measures verified against your company safety plan and any GC requirements before the JHA is signed or submitted
- [ ] No OSHA standard numbers appear in the output unless you confirmed them against the current OSHA regulation yourself
- [ ] Severity and Likelihood ratings reviewed by the crew lead or safety officer, not left at AI defaults
- [ ] The Notes section reviewed: any step flagged there needs a supervisor decision before work starts
- [ ] JHA reviewed and signed by the crew doing the work, not just filed in an office

## Sample output

Sample output. Generated by AI from sample inputs:

JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS
Company: Ridgeline Electric | Task: Install 200A panel in existing commercial space | Date: [DATE] | Crew: 2 electricians, journeyman and apprentice

| Job Step | Potential Hazard | Severity | Likelihood | Control Measures | Responsible Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. De-energize existing service and verify LOTO | Energized conductors, arc flash | High | High | Verify utility disconnect with utility company before work; apply LOTO per company procedure; test with calibrated meter before touching any conductor; wear arc-rated PPE rated for the calculated incident energy [VERIFY WITH APPLICABLE OSHA STANDARD] | Journeyman |
| 2. Remove old panel from wall | Sharp sheet metal edges, dropped panel weight | Medium | Medium | Wear cut-resistant gloves; use two-person lift for any panel over 50 lbs per company lift policy; clear floor area of trip hazards before starting | Both |
| 3. Mount new 200A panel enclosure | Struck-by from drill, muscle strain from overhead work | Medium | Medium | Use hammer drill with side handle; do not work overhead alone; take breaks to reduce fatigue on extended overhead tasks | Both |
| 4. Pull and terminate conductors | Pinch points, improper torque, conductor damage | High | Medium | Follow manufacturer torque specs for each lug [verify against panel manufacturer documentation]; inspect insulation before installing; do not use damaged conductors | Journeyman |
| 5. Restore power and test circuits | Energized equipment, arc flash at final connection | High | Low | Verify all terminations are complete and panel cover is in place before restore; stand clear of panel face at energize; test each circuit under load before signing off | Journeyman |

Notes: Arc flash incident energy for this panel was not calculated from inputs. Confirm with a qualified person before Step 1 and Step 5. If utility drop cannot be verified de-energized, stop work and contact the utility.

## Customization notes

Add a [PERMIT REQUIREMENTS] variable if the task needs a hot work permit, confined space entry permit, or other written authorization. For residential work without a GC safety plan, reference your state OSHA plan or the NFPA 70E standard as the applicable requirement. Larger crews should add a training verification column to confirm each worker reviewed and signed the JHA. Repeat the JHA when conditions change significantly mid-job.

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From The Skilled Trades Business Library at vetslearn.com/libraries/trades