How to conduct Task Based Risk Assessment (TBRA) - EHS

TBRA or JSA dos and don'ts

How to conduct Task Based Risk Assessment (TBRA)

Task Based Risk Assessment: When performing any critical work in a restricted area, the Task-Based Risk Assessment (TBRA) or Job Safety Analysis (JSA) should be performed jointly by the Operations, Maintenance and safety representative.

Task Based Risk Assessment is a formal process of identifying the hazards associated with each task to be performed, assessing the risk, and providing the safety controls to manage the risk. Do not forget the involvement of workers or their supervisor.

This is a simple process and can be recorded in format below

Sr. No.	Activities	Hazards and cause of failure	Risk	Control measures

Once the TBRA is completed, it should be communicated to the involved workers to inform them of the hazards and safety precautions. The last page of the TBRA sheet can be prepared for acknowledgment when all workers need to accept and sign it.

While preparing the TBRA, ensure following dos and don’ts for effective risk management.

Do’s and Don’ts of Task based risk assessment

Do’s

1. For critical work such as hot work, working at height, confined space entry, maintenance of critical equipment viz. boiler, heat exchangers, vessels, etc, TBRA is mandatory.
2. Establish the job parameters to perform the work.
3. Involve the relevant employees of operation, maintenance, and contractor workmen.
4. Review the incident, critical near misses and accident history to identify existing hazards.
5. Divide the task into smaller steps, i.e. subtasks
6. Prioritize the riskiest task for critical tasks first and analyses it for suitable control.
7. Go over the steps of the task with the supervisor and the actual work performer.
8. Get feedback on workers' work practice.
9. Identify the hazards involved in each of the subtasks.
10. Evaluate and recommend appropriate safety measures to control hazards.
11. Follow the hazard control hierarchies such as elimination, substitute, isolation, engineering control,  administrative control such as SOP and PPE to reduce the exposure to hazards.
12. TBRA document must be signed by both permit issuer and receiver.
13. Communicate all identified hazards and risk management safety precautions with the workforce involved.
14. A copy of the TBRA must be attached to the work permit.
15. A copy of the work permit must be posted on the job site.
16. The TBRA document must be revised if working conditions have changed and must be approved by the responsible authority.

Don’ts

1. Don’t perform TBRA or JSA by one person as it is a team activity.
2. Don't perform a TBRA without visiting the job site.
3. Don't use a bespoke TBRA without a Job Review.
4. Don't wait to complete the TBRA to correct unsafe acts and unsafe conditions.
5. Don't limit TBRA or JSA to hot work and confined spaces, as they must be performed for all critical work, including working at heights, lifting the load, and maintenance of critical equipment.
6. Avoid dividing tasks into too detailed or too long sub-tasks.
7. Don't create the TBRA or JSA at random.
8. Don't limit the hazard scenarios to one per job, it should be broken down into tasks.
9. Don't limit the hazard controls to administrative control, training and PPE only.
10. Don't review or modify an existing TBRA or JSA without notifying the supervisor and workers.
11. Don't complete TBRA without taking consent of approving authorization.
12. Don’t limit yourself to predetermined checks.
13. Don’t perform the job without communicating the TBRA with the workforce involved.

Summary

Task Based Risk Assessment or Job Safety analysis is the best way to manage the risk associated with critical work that is scheduled to be performed in a critical area. This provides the systematic approach to ensure safety while performing critical work and thus helps prevent accidents. Its team activity, therefore, for an effective TBRA or JSA, ensures the participation of people from different disciplines to contribute to the identification of hazards, the risk assessment and the decision on control measures.

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