JHA Refresh – Killing the "Pencil Whip" in 2026

Welcome back, let’s Build Smart & Build Safe! We’ve addressed our training calendar and empowered our Competent Persons. Today, we tackle the most common piece of "fiction" on the job site: the Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)—also known as a JSA or Pre-Task Plan.

Let’s be honest, most JHAs are "pencil-whipped." They are filled out in the cab of a truck, 10 minutes after the work has already started, just to satisfy a safety auditor. In 2026, we’re ending that.

The "Same as Yesterday" Trap

The biggest threat to a JHA's effectiveness is complacency. When a crew does the same task for three weeks, the JHA often becomes a copy-paste exercise.

• The Red Flag: If your JHA lists "Be Careful" or "Stay Alert" as a control, it’s garbage. Those are not controls; they are aspirations.

• The Reality: Conditions change daily. Yesterday the ground was dry; today it’s mud. Yesterday the crane was 50 feet away; today it’s swinging over your head. If your JHA doesn't reflect today’s specific environment, it’s useless paperwork.

How to Build a "Live" JHA

To make this tool work in 2026, stop treating it as an administrative task and start treating it as Hazard Hunting.

1. Break it Down: Don't write "Build Wall." Write "Stage Materials," "Cut Studs," and "Fasten Track." Each sub-task has different risks.

2. Focus on the Energy: Where is the energy that can hurt you? Gravity (falls), Electrical (lines), Mechanical (saws), or Pneumatic (nailers). If you identify the energy, you can find the control.

3. The "Third Step" Rule: Every JHA should have three parts: Task → Hazard → Control. * Bad: "Cutting wood - Saw - Safety glasses."

   • Good: "Cutting bracing - Circular saw kickback - Set blade depth correctly and maintain stable footing."

The 2026 JHA Audit

For the owners and supers: This week, go to the field and read a random JHA. If it looks like it was written by someone who wasn't standing at the actual work location, call a "Time Out."

Pro Tip: Ask a worker, "What is the one thing on this list that is most likely to go wrong today?" If they can't answer, the JHA hasn't done its job of mentally preparing them for the risk.

A JHA is a conversation, not a form. If the conversation happens, the form writes itself.

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-The Safety Man