JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS & PRE-TASK PLANNING 13
13.4 PRE-TASK PLAN (PTP) PROGRAM BEST PRACTICES
establish barriers or local ventilation to reduce exposure to the hazard in normal operations . o Administrative controls involve altering the way work is performed such as job rotations,
etc .
o PPE introduces a barrier between the worker and the hazard, should be the last control method .
In addition, determine if there are other options available to perform the job . For example, make changes to concrete block cutting procedures so that they are cutting using wet methods that elim- inate silica dust versus using dry cutting methods that generate dust and the use of respirators .
Continuous Improvement: After successful development and implementation of the JHAs, in order to be effective, the JHAs should be reviewed periodically and updated as needed as part of the program’s continuous improvement process based on: (1) lessons learned from new accidents and injuries that requires revision of JHA, (2) feedback from workers and supervisors on particular job procedures, hazards, and control measures .
Training and Communication: How will the current and new workers get trained on the JHAs? How will changes to JHAs be communicated to the workers? How and who will the workers provide feedback with regards to the JHAs?
Example JHA: An example JHA form is presented in Exhibit 13-1 . Contractors can use this as a template to develop their own JHA form that suits their company’s needs .
Figure 13-1: Construction crew performing PTP (Picture Courtesy Guy F. Atkinson Construction)
All crew members should participate in pre-task planning and should sign the completed PTP (see Figure 13-2) .
The critical steps involved in a PTP process: (1) work area assessment, (2) breakdown of tasks into separate steps, (3) identification of hazards associated with each step, (4) identification of control measures to minimize or eliminate the hazard, and (5) crew sign-off . Ensure the crew has the applicable JHA for the task . The PTP should include hazards and precautions identi- fied in applicable JHA .
Figure 13-2 Safety Task Assignment before work (Picture Courtesy Hensel Phelps Construc- tion)
All project personnel should be trained on how to prepare an effective PTP . This training can be part of the new employee orientation or a stand-alone PTP training . The crew foreman should receive additional training on how to conduct an effective PTP session, and also how to document the PTP . Consideration should be given to non-English speaking workers when not only delivering the training but also during the PTP process itself . It can include providing training and related documentation in another language or providing interpreters .
It is common to use pre-task planning forms that document the results of the meetings . ο Pocket card vs. Regular A4 sheet: The format of the form varies from company to com-
pany . Some companies have used a trifold PTP that will fit in a safety vest pocket while some firms have used a PTP printed on an A4 sheet .
ο Open-ended vs . Close-ended: A typical PTP worksheet consists of crew demographics (project, work description, location, supervisors, date, contractor name, and crew sign- off) and an open-ended three columns (steps, hazards with each steps, and controls for each hazards) . Some companies have developed PTPs with a combination of both open-ended like above and have included close-ended questions to serve a reminder for the crew such as, “Is air monitoring required?” “Are there any special permits required to complete this task?”, etc .
A copy of the completed PTP should be readily available near the work area where crew mem- bers have the knowledge of its location . The original PTP should be submitted to the project supervision for review and feedback .
A PTP program should also include a formal audit process in place to confirm the quality of hazard recognition . All PTPs should be reviewed by the Project Superintendent or designee, and provide feedback regarding the PTP contents . The review and following field audits should identify potential inadequacies:
ο Failure to identify all the steps that are needed to complete the task, ο Failure to identify the potential hazards associated with each step, ο Failure to identify the control measures for each hazard,
ο Failure to review the PTP with crew members (missing signatures), ο Failure to post PTP in the work area,
ο Failure to follow the PTP, and
ο Failure to stop work when there is a change of conditions and make appropriate chang- es to the PTP .
As part of a continuous improvement process and to capture lessons learned, a good pre-task plan should include a post-task comment section . The post-comment section will provide the foreman and his crew a place to include lessons learned from the task such as new hazards en- countered, things that went well, etc .
Exhibit 13-3 through 13 .5 presents a few examples of PTP worksheet . Contractors can use this as a template to develop their own PTP form that suits their company’s needs .
Note: The example PTPs and JHAs provided in the exhibits are only included as an example, and the users should be aware that they may reference safety regulations depending on the company’s regulatory jurisdiction. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that they adapt the best practices for their jurisdiction and comply with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations affecting their workplace.
Exhibit 13-1: Example Job Hazard Analysis (Used by permission from GLY Construction)