JHA vs. JSA vs. AHA: what’s the difference?
Short answer
They share one idea: break a job into steps, list the hazards of each step, and set controls. JHA (job hazard analysis) is OSHA’s term. JSA (job safety analysis) is the name many general contractors (GCs) use. AHA (activity hazard analysis) is the format required on US Army Corps of Engineers work under EM 385-1-1.
Updated October 18, 2026. Not legal advice.
Side by side
| JHA | JSA | AHA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stands for | Job Hazard Analysis | Job Safety Analysis | Activity Hazard Analysis |
| Where the term comes from | OSHA publication 3071 | Industry use; many GC packets | US Army Corps of Engineers EM 385-1-1 |
| Required by | Contracts and GCs. Federal OSHA has no construction standard that requires a document called a JHA. | Contracts and GCs | EM 385-1-1 on US Army Corps of Engineers projects, and some other federal projects |
| Core content | Steps, hazards, controls | Steps, hazards, controls | Steps, hazards, controls, in the format the contract and EM 385-1-1 specify |
| Sign-off | Good practice | Usually required by the GC | Accepted before work; signed by the workers involved |
JHA: the OSHA term
OSHA 3071 defines a job hazard analysis as a technique that focuses on job tasks as a way to identify hazards before they occur. It looks at the relationship between the worker, the task, the tools, and the work environment. It recommends starting with jobs that have the highest injury rates, or the greatest chance of a severe injury, and choosing controls from most effective to least effective (the hierarchy of controls). OSHA publishes a free blank JHA template and worksheet.
JSA: same thing, different name
“Job safety analysis” is used across construction and industry for the same step, hazard, and control breakdown. Some GC packets ask for a project-level hazard analysis plus task-level JSAs for high-risk work, such as roof work, scaffolds, electrical shutdowns, steel, concrete, and demolition. If your GC says JSA, title the document JSA. The content is the same.
AHA: the USACE format
On US Army Corps of Engineers projects, EM 385-1-1 requires the contractor’s Accident Prevention Plan to identify work phases that need an Activity Hazard Analysis. The AHA must be accepted before that work begins, reviewed with and signed by the workers doing it, and updated when conditions change. Check the contract and the current (2024) edition of EM 385-1-1 for the exact format and paragraph references before you submit.
What about PTPs and PHAs?
You may also see a pre-task plan (PTP), usually a short daily version reviewed at the start of a shift, and a project hazard analysis (PHA), a project-level overview a GC may request before the crew starts on site. A JHA sits between them: one task, planned in detail.
Who reviews it?
Whatever the name, a competent person should review it for the actual site. OSHA defines a competent person in 1926.32(f) as someone who can identify existing and predictable hazards and has authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
Building a JHA for a specific trade? Start with our roofing, electrical or excavation examples.
FAQ
Is a JSA the same as a JHA?
In practice, yes. Both break a job into steps and list hazards and controls for each step. OSHA’s publication uses “job hazard analysis” (JHA). Many general contractors (GCs) say “job safety analysis” (JSA). Use the name your GC uses as the document title.
When do I need an AHA instead?
When the project follows EM 385-1-1, including US Army Corps of Engineers work and some other federal work. The activity hazard analysis (AHA) has to be accepted before the work phase starts, signed by the workers involved, and updated when conditions change.
Can JHABox make an AHA?
JHABox does not yet produce a dedicated EM 385-1-1 format. A JHABox JHA covers the same core content: steps, hazards, controls, risk, and crew sign-off. Check your contract’s AHA format before you submit one.
Sources
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