Safety hazards are present in every workplace.  To properly identify hazards and protect workers from them, a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) should be performed.  A proper JHA involves reviewing each task performed to determine where hazards exist providing recommendations for hazard elimination / protection, identifying appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and training to inform employees of appropriate safety standards and precautions.

Administrative and/or engineering controls should be the first line of defense when protecting employees.  PPE should be used when administrative and/or engineering controls are not sufficient to control exposure to the hazard(s).

Supervisors and responsible for ensuring employees have the appropriate training and safety equipment before assigning hazardous job duties.  Supervisors shall ensure the development of JHAs, but the JHA forms shall be reviewed by workers performing the hazardous job duties for feedback and suggestions.  Often employees who routinely utilize equipment and/or perform specific job tasks are better able to identify certain hazards associated with the work, so it is critical that those individuals be involved in the JHA development process.