JSA Template — US Format
A Job Safety Analysis template that's actually useful does two things: it gives you the column structure OSHA expects, and it shows you what good content looks like in each column. A blank table without examples is just as much of a blank page as Word.
This page lays out the standard US JSA format — the same one OSHA uses in Publication 3071 — with worked examples for three high-risk tasks. If you want to skip straight to a generator that pre-populates the hazards and controls, try Riskora free.
The standard JSA structure
Header (top of document):
- Job / task title
- Project name and location
- Date prepared and revision number
- Prepared by (name + role)
- Reviewed by (competent person)
- Required PPE summary
- Required training / certifications
- Applicable OSHA standards (29 CFR references)
Body (the four-column matrix):
| Step | Hazards | Controls | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | — | — | — |
| 2. | — | — | — |
Footer:
- Crew acknowledgment — printed name, signature, date for every person briefed
- Supervisor sign-off
- Review trigger (e.g. "review on scope change, after incident, or annually")
Worked example 1 — Excavation (trenching)
Standards: 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P (Excavations), 1926.651, 1926.652
| Step | Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Locate utilities | Strike on buried gas, electric, fiber, water | 811 call min 2 business days prior; on-site potholing; mark with flags before any mechanical excavation |
| Spoil placement | Cave-in from spoil load on edge | Spoil pile minimum 2 ft from edge per 1926.651(j)(2) |
| Entry > 5 ft depth | Cave-in / engulfment | Protective system per soil classification — sloping, shoring, or trench box. Competent person inspection daily and after any change in conditions |
| Egress | Inability to exit in emergency | Ladder, ramp, or stairway every 25 ft of lateral travel for trenches 4 ft+ deep (1926.651(c)(2)) |
| Atmosphere | O2 deficiency, accumulation of toxic gases in deep excavation | Atmospheric testing for excavations > 4 ft where atmosphere could reasonably be hazardous (1926.651(g)) |
Worked example 2 — Hot work (welding / cutting)
Standards: 29 CFR 1926 Subpart J, NFPA 51B for hot work permits
| Step | Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Permit and area survey | Ignition of nearby combustibles | Hot work permit issued; combustibles within 35 ft removed or shielded; fire watch assigned |
| Equipment setup | Cylinder rupture, hose damage, electrical fault | Cylinders secured upright, valves protected; hoses inspected for cuts; GFCI on power feed |
| Cutting / welding | UV exposure, fume inhalation, burns | Welding helmet ANSI Z87.1+, leather sleeves, FR clothing; local exhaust ventilation if indoors; respiratory protection per 1910.252(c) |
| Post-work | Smouldering ignition after crew leaves | Fire watch maintained 30 min after work stops, plus 30 min monitoring; permit closed and area inspected |
Worked example 3 — Fall protection (leading edge work)
Standards: 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M, 1926.501, 1926.502
| Step | Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Anchor selection | Anchor failure under arrest load | Anchors rated 5,000 lb per worker or designed by qualified person to 2× max arrest force (1926.502(d)(15)) |
| Pre-use inspection | Damaged harness or lanyard | Documented inspection of full PFAS components before each shift; remove from service if any damage found |
| Working at edge | Fall > 6 ft | PFAS attached, free fall < 6 ft, total fall distance calculated against clearance below |
| Rescue planning | Suspension trauma after arrest | Documented rescue plan in place; suspension trauma straps deployed; rescue achievable in < 15 min |
Mistakes to avoid when filling in the template
- One-word hazards. "Falls." Compared to what? "Fall > 6 ft from leading edge during decking" tells you what the actual exposure is.
- "Use PPE" as a control. Specify the PPE — "ANSI Z87.1+ welding helmet, FR coveralls, leather welding gloves" — and put engineering or admin controls above it where they apply.
- Standards-only references. "Per 1926.651" without context isn't useful to the crew. Pair the citation with the actual control.
- Sign-off that doesn't match attendance. If three names are on the JSA and five people are working, the JSA wasn't briefed properly.
Get a JSA in 5 minutes
Filling in a template by hand for every task adds up — especially when you're managing a dozen subs across multiple sites. Riskora's structured JSA / JHA generator pre-loads the hazards and OSHA references for the task you select, then lets you edit the controls and sign-off to match the real job. Seven-day free account, cancel before day seven and you're not charged.
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