AHA vs JSA: what's the difference?

An AHA and a JSA look almost identical — both break work into steps, identify hazards, and list controls. So why do some jobs demand one and not the other? The short answer: who you are working for.

The JSA — the general standard

A Job Safety Analysis (JSA/JHA) is the everyday hazard-analysis tool used across construction and general industry. OSHA recommends the practice, and most private and commercial projects run on JSAs.

The AHA — the federal standard

An Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA) is the format required by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers safety manual, EM 385-1-1, on federal and USACE projects. If you are doing government work, your safety plan almost certainly requires AHAs, not JSAs.

What the AHA adds

An AHA is a JSA with more structure. On top of steps, hazards, and controls, an AHA typically requires:

• RAC (Risk Assessment Code): a formal risk rating — Low, Moderate, High, or Extremely High — for each step and overall.
• Equipment to be used on the activity.
• Training requirements for the workers involved.
• Inspection requirements for equipment and the work.
• Competent / qualified persons named for the activity.

Which one do you need?

• Private / commercial work: a JSA is standard.
• Federal / USACE / EM 385 contracts: you need an AHA, in the required format, accepted before the activity starts.

When in doubt, check your contract's safety requirements — they will specify. If the words "EM 385" or "AHA" appear, use an AHA.