What is a job safety analysis?

On 31 March 2022, the Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws replaced the health and safety elements of the Mines Safety and Inspection laws. For information visit www.demirs.wa.gov.au/whs

Transitional arrangements may be in place for the compliance requirements on this page.

All health and safety notifications, forms and guidance for mining and petroleum has moved to the WorkSafe website

Role of job safety analyses and similar tools

A job safety analysis (JSA) is one of several hazard identification and risk assessment tools used by the mining industry.

There are many versions of this type of assessment tool being used in industry, including:

  • job safety and environment analysis (JSEA)
  • job hazard analysis (JHA)
  • task hazard analysis (THA)
  • safe job analysis (SJA)
  • task safety analysis
  • pre-work safety check
  • job task analysis.

It is about looking at each job, before starting, to identify hazards and assess risks, and set up safe work practices for hazardous tasks. Used in the correct context, a JSA can be a useful safety tool. However, if it is used incorrectly or inappropriately, it can result in poor identification of hazards and may contribute to serious incidents.

Further information: A poorly completed JSA could increase the level of risk because workers think they have gone through the exercise of doing a risk assessment and have identified suitable risk controls. Creating a false sense of risk control and security.

Related information

Minerals Industry Safety Handbook

The Minerals Industry Safety Handbook, published in 2002, was a resource intended to assist all mine sites achieve the highest possible levels of occupational safety and health practice. It was produced jointly by government agencies and minerals councils in several States.

The content of the handbook is not being updated but it is made available here as it contains some useful guidance.

Minerals industry safety handbook - Foreword - 132 Kb

This is a foreword of the minerals industry safety handbook which shows the table of contents, cross-reference and abbreviation information.

Minerals industry safety handbook - Part 1 - 854 Kb

This is part 1 of the minerals industry safety handbook which shows information about administration-management, responsibilities, documentation and safety systems.

Minerals industry safety handbook - Part 2 - 832 Kb

This is part 2 of the minerals industry safety handbook which shows information about the procedures and processes.

Minerals industry safety handbook - Part 3 - 844 Kb

This is part 3 of the minerals industry safety handbook which shows information about people, employee management, training and development and labour hire.

Minerals industry safety handbook - Part 4 - 2904 Kb

This is part 4 of the minerals industry safety handbook which shows information on the working environment.

Minerals industry safety handbook - Part 5 - 2196 Kb

This is part 5 of the minerals industry safety handbook which shows information about equipment and machinery.

Minerals industry safety handbook - Part 6 - 405 Kb

This is part 6 of the minerals industry safety handbook which shows information about shafts, winding and hoisting systems.

Minerals industry safety handbook - Part 7 - 192 Kb

This is part 7 of the minerals industry safety handbook which shows other references used in this document.

Minerals industry safety handbook - Part 8 - 39 Kb

This is part 8 of the minerals industry safety handbook which shows how you can give feedback in improving this document.

Other resources

Safe Mining: Practical Guidance was originally published in 1996. The online version is being updated by CCH Australia.