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Job Safety Analysis Checklist

Job safety analysis is all about evaluating the work environment to determine what types of hazards exist based on the duties that employees perform and the materials they use. According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, employers are responsible for protecting the safety and wellness of the employees who work for them. Creating a job safety analysis checklist is an effective way for organizations to make sure they have done a thorough job of evaluating workplace safety.

  1. Workstation Ergonomics

    • For office environments, employers must evaluate employees' workstations to check for ergonomic hazards. According to OSHA, ergonomics is the study of how job functions, such as lifting, sitting or performing computer work, have an impact on employees' physical health and safety. Poor ergonomic conditions have the potential to cause musculoskeletal disorders in employees who perform repetitive tasks or are seated in awkward positions for extended lengths of time. A workstation ergonomics safety checklist should contain items for evaluating the employee's chair, desk, the height of his computer and the lighting in his workspace.

    Equipment Safety

    • Most employees use some form of equipment. In office environments, electrical equipment, such as fax machines and computers, are relied on to perform job duties. In construction industries, workers operate heavy machinery and sometimes use hazardous chemicals. Whatever the industry, employers must evaluate the equipment that their employees will use regularly to ensure it is safe to operate. Electrical equipment must be checked for frayed wires and defected cords. Heavy machinery must be checked for safeguards and locked control panels. If vehicles are utilized, they, too, should be inspected to make sure that the seat belts and brakes are fully functional, and that the tires are in good condition.

    Slips, Trips and Falls

    • According to OSHA, slips, trips and falls constitute a primary cause of occupational injuries and accidents. Job safety analysis checklists should be complete to review the condition of walking and working surfaces; that is, to ensure that walking and working surfaces are dry, clean and free from debris. Floors must be level, so any holes, cracks or unleveled surfaces must be evened out to prevent employees from slipping, tripping or falling. For work environments that have carpets or rugs, it is important to make sure they are flat to the ground and do not have corners or edges that stick out, which could cause employees to trip.

    Sign Safety

    • Appropriate safety signs must be in place to warn employees of any impending hazards. For instance, if employees handle chemicals in their line of work, checklists should make sure that chemical containers, vats or bottles are properly labeled to depict what type of hazard exists, such as whether the chemical is flammable, explosive, corrosive or poisonous.

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