Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) — Alberta
A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is a systematic process for identifying hazards associated with specific job tasks and determining controls to eliminate or reduce the risk of injury. In Alberta, JHAs are a foundational element of any OHS-compliant safety program.
A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) — also called a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) — breaks a job down into individual steps, identifies the hazards at each step, and documents the controls that will be used to protect workers. In Alberta, JHAs are required under the OHS Code as part of hazard assessment and control obligations.
JHA vs. FLHA: what is the difference?
A JHA is a planned, written analysis of a specific job or task — typically completed in advance by a supervisor or safety professional. It is used for recurring tasks, new tasks, or tasks that have resulted in incidents.
A Field Level Hazard Assessment (FLHA) is a real-time check done by workers at the start of each shift or when conditions change. The FLHA is the daily tool; the JHA is the planning document that informs it.
Both are required under Alberta OHS. The JHA provides the baseline; the FLHA catches what changes on the day.
What a JHA must include
A compliant JHA documents: the job steps in sequence, the hazards at each step (physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, psychosocial), and the controls for each hazard (elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE).
The JHA must be reviewed with workers before the job starts and updated when the job changes, when an incident occurs, or at least annually.
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