4.0 – Safe Job Procedure Policy

Griffin Properties uses Client Specific job procedures in many instances as procedures can differ between sites (i.e. lockout procedures). In the event there is a discrepancy between Griffin’s and the Clients SJP, the Clients SJP will be followed.

Introduction

A Safe Job Procedure is a written, specific step-by-step description of how to complete a job safely and efficiently from start to finish.

In carrying out their tasks at work, what workers don’t know can hurt them.  In the realm of Job Procedures, one way to increase knowledge of hazards is to conduct Job Hazard Analyses on individual jobs or tasks.  A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is a procedure which provides for the integration of accepted safety and health principles and practices into a particular operation.  In a JHA, each basic step of the job is examined to identify potential hazards and to determine the safest way to do the job.  The end result is called a Safe Job Procedure.

JHA’s should always be team efforts.  By involving others in the process, you reduce the possibility of overlooking an individual job step or a potential hazard.  You also increase the likelihood of identifying the most appropriate measures for eliminating or controlling hazards.

An effective JHA team will include:

  • The supervisor;
  • The worker most familiar with how the job is done and its related hazards;
  • Other workers who perform the job; and
  • Experts or specialists such as maintenance personnel or design engineers. (If required)

Identifying/selecting the job to be analyzed

Ideally, all jobs should be subjected to a Job Hazard Analysis.  In reality, this is not always practical or necessary.  Because circumstances change from jobsite to jobsite, it is necessary to prioritize which jobs are examined first.  Provision must be made in a safety program for the development of Safe Job Procedures wherever such procedures are likely to improve safety.

Factors to be considered in assigning a priority for analysis include:

  • Jobs with a high frequency of accidents or near misses which pose a significant threat to health and safety;
  • Jobs that have already produced fatalities, disabling injuries, illnesses or environmental harm;
  • Jobs that have the potential to cause serious injury, harm, or damage, even if they have never produced an injury or illness;
  • Jobs involving two or more workers who must perform specific tasks simultaneously;
  • Newly established jobs whose hazards may not be evident because of lack of experience;
  • Jobs that have undergone a change in procedure, equipment or materials;
  • Jobs whose operation may have been affected by new legislation or standards;
  • Infrequently-performed jobs where workers may be at greater risk when undertaking non-routine jobs.

Developing Safe Job Procedures

The terms ‘job ’and ‘task’ are commonly used interchangeably to mean a specific work assignment, such as ‘operating a grinder,’ ‘using a pressurized water extinguisher’ or ‘changing a flat tire.’ JHA’s are not suitable for jobs defined too broadly, such as ‘overhauling an engine,’ or too narrowly, such as positioning a car jack.’ Job Hazard Analyses (JHA’s) identify the materials and equipment needed and how and when to use them. Safe Job Procedures usually include:

  • Regulatory requirements
  • Personal Protective Equipment requirements
  • Training requirements
  • Responsibilities of each person involved in the job
  • A specific sequence of steps to follow to complete the work safely
  • Permits required
  • Emergency Procedures

Basic stages in developing Safe Job Procedures are:

  • Identifying/selecting the job to be analyzed before work begins
  • Breaking the job down into a sequence of basic steps
  • Identifying potential hazards in each step
  • Determining preventative measures to overcome these hazards

You may develop and write job procedures yourself. If you do not have the time available, it may be better to develop a list of jobs that require a Safe Job Procedure and delegate development and writing responsibilities to supervisors, teams of employees and supervisors, or industry consultants. Regardless of who writes the assessment(s) they must be reviewed with every worker that will be affected by the job in some form or another.

All potential hazards must be systematically prioritized, with any of imminent danger to workers being rectified prior to work commencing. The Assessment needs to address the hierarchy of controls including engineering, administrative and personal protective equipment.

Re-assessments are required:

  • At intervals that prevent the development of unsafe and unhealthy working conditions;
  • When a new work process is introduced;
  • Before any construction commences at a new location;
  • When a work process or operation changes; and
  • When new workers arrive at the site not familiar with the scheduled work activity.