Paul Shoemaker, Authorized Trainer · KP2 Safety Consulting

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An Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA) breaks a construction activity into job steps, names the hazards in each step, and lists the controls and PPE that keep residual risk acceptable. On EM 385-1-1 jobs you also assign a Risk Assessment Code (RAC) to every step. The overall RAC cannot be lower than the highest step RAC.

AHA vs JHA vs JSA

AHA, JHA, and JSA are the same idea: job steps, hazards, and controls. AHA is the term on USACE/DoD and EM 385-1-1 work. OSHA construction jobs usually call it a JHA. KP2 writes both OSHA 1926 and EM 385 versions from the same activity.

What has to be on the page

Put the activity name, company and project, competent and qualified persons, equipment, and PPE on the sheet. Number the job steps. Number the hazards. Letter the controls. Score RAC per step and overall. Include review and acceptance signatures. Work does not start until the AHA is reviewed with the crew.

How to write it, step by step

1. Name one definable activity, not the whole job.

2. List steps in the order the crew actually works.

3. For each step, list real hazards (fall, struck-by, electrical, silica, cave-in, heat, and the rest that actually apply).

4. Write controls using the hierarchy: eliminate, substitute, engineer, administrate, then PPE.

5. Score RAC (severity × probability). Residual RAC is after controls.

6. Set overall RAC to the highest remaining step RAC. Never sand it down.

7. Name competent and qualified persons, training, and inspections.

8. Review with the crew before start. Revise if conditions, crew, or method change.

OSHA 1926 vs EM 385-1-1

OSHA jobs still need a real analysis. EM 385 jobs need the RAC matrix, competent persons named, and government acceptance before that activity starts. Do not mix the two formats on one sheet.

Common mistakes

One AHA covering the whole project. Copy-paste hazards that do not match the step. Overall RAC lower than a High step. Missing competent person. No crew review. Sending a blank template to the GC.

When to use a ready-to-use AHA

Small contractors without a full-time safety director can start from a field-written library AHA, then fill project names and have it issued as a flattened PDF. Contact KP2 for help.

What is an Activity Hazard Analysis?

An Activity Hazard Analysis breaks one construction activity into job steps, names the hazards in each step, and lists the controls and PPE that keep residual risk acceptable. On EM 385-1-1 work you also assign a RAC to every step. The overall RAC cannot be lower than the highest step RAC.

Who has to write the AHA?

A competent person who knows the activity, the crew, and the site conditions writes it. The crew reviews it before work starts. On EM 385 jobs, government acceptance is required before that activity begins.

Does OSHA require an AHA?

OSHA 1926 does not always use the word AHA, but construction employers still have to identify hazards and put controls in place before work. A written JHA or AHA is how most contractors prove that analysis. EM 385-1-1 jobs require a documented AHA with RAC.

What is a RAC on an AHA?

RAC is the Risk Assessment Code. You score severity times probability for each step after controls. Residual RAC is what remains. Overall RAC equals the highest remaining step RAC. Never mark overall lower than a High step.

Can I reuse last project’s AHA?

Only as a starting point. Change the company, project, activity details, competent persons, and any step that does not match this crew or this method. Review it with this crew before start. Do not send last job’s sheet with the names swapped and nothing else checked.