Product Overview

Summary: This Job Safety Analysis (JSA) Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, repeatable method for identifying, assessing and controlling task-based risks before work starts. It helps Australian businesses embed proactive safety planning into day-to-day operations, supporting WHS due diligence and reducing the likelihood of incidents, injuries and costly disruptions.

A Job Safety Analysis (JSA) is one of the most practical tools for controlling risk at the coalface, yet in many workplaces it is applied inconsistently or reduced to a box-ticking exercise. This Job Safety Analysis Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, easy-to-follow process for breaking down tasks, identifying hazards, assessing risk and agreeing on effective controls before work commences. It clarifies who is involved, when a JSA is required, how it is documented, and how it links back to broader WHS systems and legal duties in Australia.

Developed for Australian conditions and legislation, this SOP helps organisations translate WHS obligations into day-to-day practice across construction, manufacturing, utilities, local government, mining, transport and other high-risk environments. It tackles common pain points such as inconsistent JSA quality, poor worker participation, and lack of follow-through on identified controls. By standardising your JSA process, you improve the quality of risk assessments, strengthen supervision and consultation, and create defensible documentation that demonstrates due diligence if an incident occurs or a regulator investigates.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a consistent, documented approach to Job Safety Analysis across all sites and teams.
• Reduce the likelihood of injuries and near misses by identifying and controlling task-specific hazards before work starts.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation and Codes of Practice through clear, auditable processes.
• Improve worker engagement and consultation by involving frontline personnel in the JSA process.
• Streamline training and onboarding by providing a clear, step-by-step method for completing quality JSAs.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Health and Safety Advisors
• Site Supervisors
• Team Leaders and Leading Hands
• Operations Managers
• Construction Project Managers
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Plant and Facility Managers
• Safety Representatives and HSRs
• Small Business Owners in High-Risk Industries

Hazards Addressed

• Unidentified task-specific hazards leading to slips, trips and falls
• Hazardous manual tasks causing musculoskeletal injuries
• Contact with moving plant and machinery
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals and airborne contaminants
• Electrical hazards during maintenance and construction work
• Working at heights without adequate planning and controls
• Confined space entry without proper risk assessment
• Interaction between multiple contractors or overlapping work activities
• Poorly planned non-routine or one-off tasks
• Complacency and assumptions about "routine" jobs

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions (JSA, hazard, risk, control, reasonably practicable)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, officers, supervisors, workers, contractors)
• 4.0 When a Job Safety Analysis is Required (triggers and thresholds)
• 5.0 Preparation for JSA (gathering information, consulting workers, reviewing past incidents)
• 6.0 Step-by-Step JSA Process (task breakdown, hazard identification, risk assessment, control selection)
• 7.0 Hierarchy of Control and Selection of Controls
• 8.0 Documentation and Record-Keeping Requirements
• 9.0 Communication, Consultation and Sign-off
• 10.0 Implementation, Monitoring and Review of Controls
• 11.0 Integration with Permits to Work, SWMS and Other WHS Documents
• 12.0 Training and Competency Requirements for JSA Facilitators
• 13.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the JSA Process
• 14.0 Non-Conformance and Corrective Actions
• 15.0 References and Related Documents
• 16.0 JSA Template and Example Completed JSA (Appendices)

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Construction Work: Code of Practice
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems