Keep alert to off-shift, contractor risks you may not see

Job Safety Analysis (JSA) is a long-standing foundation of the safety profession. Many jobs have low to moderate risk which is controlled by standardized work methods or instructions that could include procedures, training, awareness, PPE, etc.

Such jobs may only require standardized work instructions without a detailed JSA.

We all have limited time and resources. Prioritizing JSA’s for jobs that pose the highest risk makes sense. Remember, tasks that you do not see may pose the highest risk of fatal or serious injury. Do you know what the off-shift maintenance or contract workers are doing? Has anyone ever identified all elements of their tasks and the associated hazards?

Many breakdown tasks require power during troubleshooting. If employees are actuating solenoids or other machine devices to determine what is wrong with the operation, unidentified hazards could be present. Similarly, off-shift material handling may pose significant risk. Safety and supervision may never observe these things because they are not present when the work is being performed.

Talk with employees to get their input on the things that pose the risk of serious and fatal injury. Then prioritize your JSA efforts and devote time and energy to potentially high-risk jobs.