JHA Examples by Trade: Sample Job Hazard Analyses for Common Construction Tasks
A job hazard analysis lists each step of a task, the hazards at each step, and the controls that prevent harm, working from elimination and engineering controls down to PPE. Below are sample JHA tables for seven common construction activities. Use them as starting points: adapt every line to your site, equipment and contract requirements, and pair each JHA with a daily pre-task plan.
Additional official sample JHAs for carpentry, electrical, excavation, plumbing and roofing are published by Brookhaven National Laboratory at https://www.bnl.gov/esh/shsd/seg/cs-pha-index.php.
How to read these tables
Each table has three columns: the step, the hazard (what can cause harm), and the control. Controls are listed in rough order of the hierarchy, strongest first. Every JHA should also list required training, equipment inspections and permits.
1. Wall framing and sheathing
| Step | Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Material handling | Strains, pinch points | Two-person lifts over 50 lb, staged material near work |
| Cutting | Blade contact, kickback | Guarded saws, cut stations, no bypassing guards |
| Nailing | Nail gun discharge | Sequential trigger, no carrying with finger on trigger |
| Wall raising | Wall falling, struck-by | Plan the lift, enough hands, brace immediately |
| Sheathing at height | Fall from edge or ladder | Guardrails or fall arrest above 6 ft, ladder setup check |
Training/permits: nail gun training, fall protection training.
2. Electrical rough-in and terminations
| Step | Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Lift or ladder setup | Falls, tip-over | Lift inspection, tie-off per manufacturer, ladder checks |
| Conduit install | Strains, overhead work | Proper lift height, eye protection |
| Pulling wire | Pulling equipment failure | Inspect tugger and rope, keep clear of line of pull |
| Terminations | Contact with energized parts | Lockout/tagout, verify absence of voltage, qualified person |
| Temporary power | Shock | GFCI on all temp cords, cord inspection |
Training/permits: LOTO, qualified electrical worker, energized work permit if required.
3. Trenching and excavation
| Step | Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Locate utilities | Striking buried lines | 811 locate, private locate, pothole near marks |
| Excavation | Cave-in | Protective system for trenches 5 ft or deeper per competent person (sloping, shoring or trench box) |
| Spoils | Material falling in | Keep spoils at least 2 ft from edge |
| Access | Falls into trench | Ladder within 25 ft of workers in trenches 4 ft or deeper, barricades |
| Equipment | Struck-by | Spotter, swing radius barricade |
Training/permits: competent person on site, daily trench inspection, excavation permit if required.
4. Low-slope roofing
| Step | Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Hoisting material | Falling load, struck-by | Controlled zone below hoist, tag line |
| Working near edge | Fall from roof | Guardrails or warning line plus fall arrest per plan |
| Skylights and openings | Fall through | Covers rated and marked, or guardrails |
| Hot work or torch | Fire, burns | Hot work permit, fire watch, extinguisher |
| Weather | Heat, wind, slips | Heat plan, stop work in high wind, footwear |
5. Drywall hanging and finishing
| Step | Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Board handling | Strains, board falling | Carts, two-person carry, store flat |
| Ceiling board | Overhead strain, falling board | Panel lift, secure before screwing |
| Stilts or baker scaffold | Falls | Guardrails on scaffolds over 4 ft as required, clean floors |
| Sanding | Dust | Vacuum sanders, respirator per assessment |
| Cutting | Knife cuts | Cut-resistant gloves, retractable blades |
6. Structural steel erection
| Step | Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Rigging and lifts | Load drop, struck-by | Qualified rigger and signal person, inspect rigging, no one under load |
| Connecting | Falls | Fall protection per Subpart R and site plan |
| Bolting | Dropped tools | Tool lanyards, controlled zone below |
| Decking | Falls through openings | Cover and secure openings, controlled decking zone rules |
| Weather | Wind | Stop lifts at crane limits |
7. Hot work (welding, cutting, brazing)
| Step | Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Fire from sparks | Hot work permit, remove or cover combustibles within 35 ft (common permit rule from NFPA 51B) |
| Cylinders | Cylinder falls, leaks | Secure upright, caps on, leak check |
| Welding | Fumes, arc flash, burns | Ventilation, welding hood, FR clothing |
| After work | Smoldering fire | Fire watch during and after per permit |
Tips to get your JHA accepted
- Make it site-specific: name the building, level and equipment
- Name hazards, not injuries
- Do not rely on PPE alone
- List training and competent persons by name where possible
- Update it when methods change
- Review it with the crew before the scope starts
Reviewing a sub's JHA: what general contractors check
When a subcontractor submits a JHA before mobilizing, general contractor safety and project staff typically check:
- Does it cover every activity in the sub's scope on this project?
- Are the steps specific to this site and method?
- Are hazards named clearly?
- Do controls go beyond PPE where they can?
- Are competent persons and training listed?
- Are permits identified?
- Does it reflect the site safety plan and owner rules?
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Frequently asked questions
How detailed should a JHA be?
Detailed enough that a new crew member understands each step, what can hurt them at that step, and what control is in place. Most construction JHAs are one to three pages per activity.
Can I reuse a JHA from another job?
You can start from one, but review it against this site: access, adjacent trades, equipment, weather and owner rules. General contractors often reject JHAs that are clearly copied from another project.
What is the hierarchy of controls in a JHA?
From most to least effective: eliminate the hazard, substitute something less hazardous, engineering controls such as guardrails or ventilation, administrative controls such as permits and training, and PPE last.
Are these examples ready to submit?
No. They are examples to adapt. Your JHA must reflect your methods, equipment, site conditions and the requirements in your contract and safety plan.