Book traversal links for Performing a Job Hazard Analysis ‹ Identifying Workplace Hazards Up Controlling or Eliminating Hazards › To perform a job hazard analysis, you should ask the following questions about the task you are about to perform: What can go wrong? The worker's hand could come into contact with a rotating object that "catches" it and pulls it into the machine. What are the consequences? The worker could receive a severe injury. How could it happen? The accident could happen as a result of the worker trying to clear a snag during operations or as part of a maintenance activity while the pulley is operating. Obviously, this hazard scenario could not occur if the pulley is not rotating. What are other contributing factors? This hazard occurs very quickly. It does not give the worker much opportunity to recover or prevent it once his hand comes into contact with the pulley. This is an important factor, because it helps you determine the severity and likelihood of an accident when selecting appropriate hazard controls. Unfortunately, experience has shown that training is not very effective in hazard control when triggering events happen quickly because humans can react only so quickly. How likely is it that the hazard will occur? This determination requires some judgment. If there have been "near-misses" or actual cases, then the likelihood of a recurrence would be considered high. If the pulley is exposed and easily accessible, that also is a consideration. In the example, the likelihood that the hazard will occur is high because there is no guard preventing contact, and the operation is performed while the machine is running. By following the steps in this example, you can organize your hazard analysis activities. Book traversal links for Performing a Job Hazard Analysis ‹ Identifying Workplace Hazards Up Controlling or Eliminating Hazards › Staff Kelly States Assistant Director 609-258-2648 James McQuaid Program Manager 609-258-5106 Shaundree Davis Senior Program Manager 609-258-6256