“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”
-Benjamin Franklin
Companies of all sizes struggle to operate within everchanging EHS safety regulations while staying viable in a hyper competitive market. Companies who fail to integrate consistent EHS practices into their operations, often find themselves scrambling to comply with an agency request, customer RFP or even a plaintiff’s demand.
One simple, yet extremely effective, practice that could save have avoided costly damage control is Job Type Hazard Assessments (“JTHA”).
What is JTHA?
Job Type Hazard Assessments (JTHA) are systematic evaluations of specific job roles within a company to identify potential hazards associated with those roles. This assessment helps in determining the necessary precautions, training, and personal protective equipment (PPE) required to mitigate identified risks. JTHAs are integral to ensuring that every employee understands the hazards they may face and how to perform their duties safely.
Comprehensive JTHA
A robust EHS management system should look at every job. Identification of the basic operational requirements, noncompliance risk and employee work hazards are critical to EHS management. Once identification is complete, you can determine the amount and type of required training and PPE. This identification process is more than checking a box.
It is a position-by-position review to ensure every employee knows their job expectations and how to do the job right. The goal of a JTHA should be to clarify employee expectations for that job and to provide a risk review that helps develop a narrative about each type of job in your company.
JTHA and PPE Assessment
Often, a JTHA is created in conjunction with a PPE assessment. It should always involve direct feedback from the employees whose job you’re assessing. The JTHA identifies tasks, sets expectations and illustrates the operational side of the job in a more thorough and exacting manner than a standard job description.
Laying this out in a document, as part of an onboarding package, helps demystify the job for new employees. It is a great tool to instill confidence in your SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) for onboarding safety-ready employees.
Include a Risk Assessment – OSHA requires one
The JTHA should also cover the risks associated with the job. It is already a basic OSHA requirement that each employer assess the risk of the workplace – a JTHA can help you demonstrate your compliance with this requirement.
For example, by identifying the hazards and risks associated with operating certain equipment or visiting customer locations, a company can create a hazard awareness in its workforce. Identifying each of the steps the company has taken to mitigate those hazards, including specifically delineating what PPE each job type needs, can go a long way to helping manage risk.
Share the JTHA with your Employees
The final, critical step of the JTHA is to share it with your employees, particularly new hires. For existing laborers, it is a terrific way to level-set expectations and solicit valuable feedback. Sharing the JTHA with the affected employee is an effective way to manage changes to enhanced EHS practices and policies.
By the way, calling for all employees to sign their JTHA is a best practice. It provides documentation every employee is aware of their job responsibilities, risks, required training and necessary PPE for their job type. This can also be an incredibly powerful thing to share with your insurance carrier to demonstrate your commitment to reducing risk and making your employees hazard aware.
The ROI of JTHA
A JTHA is a low-cost investment in both your employees’ safety and the success of the business. Companies that develop clear and concise JTHAs have more consistent compliance, fewer surprises, and significantly reduce their risk.
Without organizational alignment, management visibility, and an informed and educated workforce, a company can never fully achieve EHS excellence.
A JTHA is a simple practice that helps make this happen, and it is something that any size company can implement to drive value directly to the bottom line.
Practical Steps to Implementing JTHA
- Identify Job Roles: List all job roles within the organization that require hazard assessments.
- Conduct Hazard Analysis: For each role, identify potential hazards, assess the risks, and determine the necessary safety measures.
- Develop Safety Protocols: Create detailed safety protocols and PPE requirements for each job type.
- Train Employees: Ensure all employees receive training on the identified hazards and the safety protocols.
- Review and Update Regularly: Regularly review and update JTHAs to reflect any changes in job roles or regulations.
By integrating these practical steps into your safety management practices, you can ensure that JTHAs are effectively implemented and maintained, leading to a safer and more compliant workplace.
Key Takeaways from JTHA
In this article, we explored the importance and benefits of Job Type Hazard Assessments (JTHA) in enhancing workplace safety and compliance.
Here are the key takeaways:
- Job Type Hazard Assessments (JTHA) are systematic evaluations of specific job roles to identify potential hazards and determine necessary precautions, training, and PPE requirements.
- A robust EHS management system should include a detailed, position-by-position review to clarify job expectations and provide a risk review for each job type.
- JTHAs should be created alongside PPE assessments and involve direct feedback from employees to ensure thorough and accurate hazard identification.
- JTHAs help demonstrate compliance with OSHA requirements by identifying workplace risks and outlining mitigation steps.
- JTHAs are a low-cost investment that can lead to consistent compliance, fewer surprises, and significant risk reduction, ultimately driving value to the bottom line.
By incorporating these practices, you can significantly enhance your EHS management system, ensuring a safer and more compliant workplace.
For further assistance in implementing JTHAs or enhancing your EHS management system, consider scheduling a no-obligation conversation with one of our experienced EHS consultants. We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of workplace safety and compliance, ensuring your team stays safe and your business thrives.
Contact us today to get started!
