The US Navy SEALS are one the most elite military forces in the world and lose under 1% of their fighters in some of the scariest situations on earth. When asked why mortality rates are so low among the SEAL community, Jocko Willink, famed Navy Seal commander turned speaker, credits the intense training and pre-planning involved. Their ability to plan for the unknown and intense training methods are what they rely on to get them home. With this in mind, why would we want to cut corners on our own methods of pre-planning (i.e., daily hazard assessments)? Our jobs place us around hazards that when not mitigated can cause great harm.

When we discuss ways to stay vigilant and ahead of hazards, we are going to break this morning’s topic into three areas:

1. Understanding the Importance of Hazard Assessment
2. Tracking and Analyzing Trends to Keep Workers Safe
3. A Technological Approach to the JHA

• Understanding the Importance of Hazard Assessment

What is a hazard assessment and why is it important? Simply stated, a Job Hazard Assessment (JHA) is a systematic procedure that breaks each job/task into key training sequences, identifies safety elements of each required step, and coaches the employee on how to avoid potential safety hazards. Both a JSA and JHA are considered the same thing, so do not let the name confuse you. By approaching a worksite the same way each time, we can ensure consistent and safe steps. It also allows us to utilize everyone’s collective knowledge of the situation to identify potential hazards and what to do when we encounter them. You might be unaware of certain intricacies of a new product or how fast the weather can change in a new location. That is where another crew member’s knowledge and experience on the subject can help keep you safe.

• Tracking and Analyzing Trends to Keep Workers Safe

Where does the information go when we complete a JHA? Ontivity uses and compiles different data gathered from hazard analysis’, incident and near miss reports, vehicle data, and safety audits, to name a few. Then we analyze it to see if there are any trends or common occurrences. Maybe one rigging mishap in a market does not sound like big deal. However, if the one singular occurrence happens across 5 family member companies there is a greater issue. What if while investigating the incident, we identify a faulty rigging component. Now the safety team can engage the manufacturer and the item might be recalled. Perhaps there is a missing component to the training and crews are issues a new rescue component that they unfamiliar with? The overall process is simple in concept, but it requires the buy-in from everyone in the company and a centralized platform.

• Electronic JHA Platforms

Data collection can assist us in staying ahead of danger. However, paper forms have to be scanned/emailed, people lose them, or sometimes crews will run out of copies and try to use an old form. To help combat this we, have rolled out a new platform at Ontivity using our safety app. This powerful tool allows us to improve records and data collection as well as improve and expedite incident reporting helping us be b

If you would like more information on this topic or any other safety-related topic, please reach out to the Ontivity safety team at safety@ontivity.com, and we will get you taken care of.