Is a JSA legally required?

OSHA does not always mandate a formal JSA for every task, but employers must identify and control hazards under the General Duty Clause and specific standards (see applicable 29 CFR parts). Documenting the analysis demonstrates due diligence and supports defenses in enforcement actions.

Can a JSA be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA in most states provided intent, consent, attribution, and reliable retention are demonstrated.

What level of signer authentication is appropriate?

Use authentication proportional to risk: an email link may suffice for low-risk internal approvals; multi-factor or enterprise SSO is advised for contractual acceptance or when regulatory auditability is required.

How long must I keep executed JSAs?

Retention varies: keep active project records while obligations exist, retain for 3–7 years commonly, and follow industry-specific laws such as HIPAA (6 years under 45 CFR §164.530(j)) where applicable.

What to do after an incident?

Preserve the executed JSA, stop-work documentation, and corrective actions; update the JSA to reflect root-cause changes and document retraining or engineering fixes.

How do I update an approved JSA?

Create a new revision with an updated effective date and sign-off. Clearly mark superseded versions and retain prior copies for the retention period to maintain an audit trail.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Project Management
Work Plan and Job Safety Hazard Analysis

Work Plan and Job Safety Hazard Analysis

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Work Plan and Job Safety / Hazard Analysis

Tower One Inc. 620 West Coliseum Blvd, Ft. Wayne, IN 46808 (317) 455-8081

Page 1 of 5

Work Plan and Job Safety Analysis (JSA)

Project Name		Date Prepared
Client		Start Date
Location Description		Finish Date
Client Facility Manager		Phone / Email
Client Facility Operator		Phone / Email

Personnel

Position	Training Current	Emer. Form on location
Prepared by	Y N Level:	Y N
Safety Supervisor	Y N Level:	Y N
Worker	Y N Level:	Y N
Worker	Y NLevel:	Y N
Worker	Y NLevel:	Y N
Worker	Y NLevel:	Y N
Worker	Y NLevel:	Y N
Worker	Y NLevel:	Y N
Other	Y NLevel:	Y N
Other	Y NLevel:	Y N

Emergency Information

EMS Phone		Police Phone
Fire/Rescue Phone		Company Contact Name & Phone
Emergency Access to Site
Communication	Cell Phone (Check service on site Y N) Radio (Channel: ) Phone (Note phone number, location, special dialing, other contacts, etc)

All Tower One employees and contractors will comply fully with this work plan and job safety analysis, all client safety programs, all site safety programs, and any other safety program deemed appropriate to Tower One Inc.

Full personnel protective equipment (PPE) will be required as deemed necessary by the site safety plan. This is to include helmet, appropriate footwear (steel or carbon toe as required), hearing protection, eye protection, and gloves if required.

By signing this document, the signee has agreed to these terms.

Work Methods / Equipment

Description of work
Work Methods	Standard practices outlined in Guidelines for Tower Work Standard practices outlined in Guidelines for Rope Access Work
Individual Equipment	Helmet Harness Eye Protection Foot Protection Gloves Anchor Straps Connectors Descender Lanyards Pulleys Belay Device Backup Device Protective Clothing Hearing Protection Reflective Clothing Respiratory Protection Rope Grabs Cable Grab Headlamp Multi-tool Other
Group Equipment	Ropes Connectors Rigging Straps Edge Protection Other
Team Communication	Visual (Hand Signals) Verbal Radio (Note channel)
Machinery Lockout/tagout	Do machinery valves, gates, or motors need to be locked out? Yes No Machinery locked out/tagged out of service Hold order visually checked by work supervisor Hold order number Work Supervisor
Equipment/tool Management	Squids Other
Access zone
Hazard zone
Anchors	Certified Anchor Straps Cable Loops Certified Anchor Bolts Other (Specify) Webbing

Rescue

Rescue and Retrieval Methods
Rescue kit	First Aid Kit Pulleys Rope Grabs Connectors Descenders Patient Packaging Other

Job Safety / Hazard Analysis

Condition	Description of Hazards	Control Measures
Falling	Gravity induced injury or death	Always use appropriate fall-protection or rope-access equipment when 6 feet from unprotected edge with a fall potential of 6 feet or more. All personnel must be properly trained.
Human Error	Rigging errors	Use 2 rope system when working line is primary means of support. Use independent anchorages. Always do 4 point check: ropes, hardware, harness, helmet.
Communication Difficulty	Loud ambient noise, malfunctioning radios, conditions change	Agree upon and use standardized communication signals. Check communication system. Designate alternate communication system if conditions change. Review hand signals.
Sharp/abrasive Surfaces	Rope or anchor damage and/or failure; abrasions or cuts to hands	Use proper edge protection and padding. Use re-direct or intermediate anchors as needed. Wear gloves and proper clothing.
Electrical Lines	Inadvertent contact with energized lines; burns or electrocution from contact	Examine lines that might be contacted by wind-blown ropes. Get appropriate clearances. Follow lockout/tagout procedure.
Machinery	Inadvertent operation of machinery; injury sustained from machinery; hazardous condition created	Get appropriate clearances. Follow lockout/tagout procedures. Confirm lockout/tagout.
Injury from tools	Hazards depend on tools used; damage to rope-access or fall-protection system	Follow all manufacturer’s instructions and keep all protective guards in place. Separate suspension rope may be required for tools greater than 25 lbs.
Dropped tools or Materials	Possible injury to personnel and public; loss of important tools; damage to structures or equipment	Clearly mark and barricade hazard zone. Helmets or hard hats must be worn in hazard zone. Keep a clean and orderly worksite. All tools and devices must be tethered or secured. Avoid working or standing below other workers.

Job Safety / Hazard Analysis (continued...)

Condition	Description of Hazards	Control Measures
Rock fall or Loose detritus	Possible injury to personnel and public; damage to structures or equipment; severed ropes or anchors	Careful scaling or clearing of slope prior to work. Loose materials or rock may need to be secured. Manage ropes carefully to avoid dislodging loose materials.
Rain/wet Conditions	Wet clothing, slippery surfaces, decreased friction, danger near improperly insulated equipment, decreased visibility	Stop work if conditions become dangerous. Wear proper footwear and waterproof rain gear. Be aware of slippery conditions. Electrical equipment must be adequately grounded and equipped with GFCI’s.
Snow/Ice	Wet clothing, hypothermia, loss of dexterity, slippery surfaces, decreased friction, decreased visibility	Stop work if conditions become dangerous. Wear proper footwear and clothing, including gloves and hat. Waterproof rain gear should be available. Use appropriate equipment for conditions. Hand warmers should be available in case of emergency.
Water	Wet surfaces can be slippery; potential for drowning; trapped in current while tied off	Stop work if conditions become dangerous. Rescue boat shall be readily available if working directly over water. Fall protection or rope access equipment must not allow worker to fall into water. Personal flotation devices not required if proper fall protection is in place.
Sun/heat	Dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke; burns from tools and steel; adhesives and first-aid supplies may be degraded	Stop work if conditions become dangerous. Ample water and/or electrolytes must be on hand. Schedule proper breaks and work in morning or evening. Use adequate sunscreen.
Wind	Possible increased cooling or hypothermia risk, increased dehydration risk, decreased communication, unsecured equipment blown into access zone	Stop work if conditions become dangerous. Wear proper footwear and clothing, including gloves and hat. Secure loose materials. Be wary of slack in ropes where they may be blown into areas making retrieval difficult.
Lightning	Possible electrocution due to lightning strike, loss of consciousness or life; rope access equipment may provide pathway for electrical strikes	Stop work when lightning threatens.
Dimly lit or Night work	Sharp or protruding objects may not be visible to moving operatives; drowsiness of employees	Provide adequate lighting: area lighting and/or head and hand lamps. Provide spare batteries, light sources, and bulbs.
Dust	Difficulty in breathing, possible allergic reaction; possible long-term exposure hazard	Provide adequate engineering controls. Provide PPE where engineering controls not possible or impractical.
Chemical Exposure	Difficulty in breathing, dizziness, unconsciousness; chemical burns to skin, eyes, internal organs	Workers must have MSDS on site for all chemicals used in work. Proper PPE and engineering controls must be in place. Respirators must be the correct type for the exposure.
Confined space entry	Work areas may contain toxic gases or insufficient oxygen levels; space may have restricted entry/exit	Follow confined space procedures. Toxic rescue plan required and in force prior to entry.
High noise area	Permanent or temporary damage to hearing; difficult communications; warning sounds may be masked	Hearing protection required; in extremely loud environments (+120 dBA), multiple types of protection may be necessary. Agree on hand signals before work starts. Sound-isolating hearing protection may be used for radios.
Insect or animal bites or stings	Possible injury or incapacitation depending on severity of bite or venom	Careful access into areas where spiders, snakes, scorpions, or other creatures may reside. Use gloves at all times. Equip first aid kit with medical supplies appropriate for bites and stings.
Vehicular traffic	Possible impact or crushing injury	Careful demarcation of access and hazard zones; use flags, signs, flag persons, lighting as needed. Provide high-visibility clothing for personnel.
Bird/animal feces	Possible inhalation of disease carried by feces	Workers may need to wear protective gloves or respirators.

Signature:

Date:

Supervisor Signature:

Date:

What the Work Plan and Job Safety Hazard Analysis Is

A Work Plan and Job Safety Hazard Analysis (JSA/JHA) documents planned tasks, step-by-step procedures, and identified hazards for a specific job or project. It assigns responsibilities, specifies required controls and personal protective equipment, and establishes monitoring and communication steps to reduce risk. Employers and contractors use the document to coordinate work, demonstrate due diligence, and support incident investigation. While primarily an operational safety tool, the JSA also helps satisfy regulatory expectations from OSHA and industry-specific safety programs.

Why a Clear Work Plan and JSA Matters

A precise Work Plan and JSA lowers injury risk, clarifies team responsibilities, documents controls for audits, and supports regulatory compliance such as OSHA recordkeeping.

Who Prepares and Reviews This Document

Typical preparers include on-site supervisors, safety officers, and project managers who know the tasks and hazards.

Site supervisor or foreman responsible for day-to-day work execution and first-line hazard control.
Safety manager or EHS professional who reviews controls, permits, and regulatory alignment.
Contractor representative or client designee who accepts scope, resources, and risk allocation.

Essential Parts of a Professional Work Plan and JSA

A complete Work Plan and JSA breaks tasks into steps, lists hazards and controls, assigns roles, and documents verification steps to ensure effective implementation.

Scope

Defines job boundaries, locations, and affected personnel; ties the analysis to a project ID and schedule so applicability is unambiguous during audits and inspections.

Task Breakdown

Lists each discrete step in sequence, describing tools, equipment, and interfaces so observers can verify the order of operations and identify handoffs.

Hazard Identification

Records recognized hazards for each step—chemical, physical, ergonomic, electrical, confined space, fall—so controls can be tailored to the specific exposure.

Controls and PPE

Specifies engineering, administrative, and personal protective measures with acceptance criteria and verification steps so each control is actionable and auditable.

Roles & Responsibilities

Names individuals who implement controls, perform inspections, and authorize work, including escalation points and communication protocols for deviations.

Monitoring & Review

Sets inspection frequency, incident reporting requirements, and post-task review procedures to confirm controls were effective and to capture lessons learned.

Stepwise Procedure to Complete the Work Plan and JSA

Follow a structured sequence to ensure thorough hazard assessment and clear ownership before work begins.

01

Gather information: Collect scope, drawings, permits and prior incident data.
02

Break down tasks: List discrete steps in chronological order.
03

Identify hazards: Record hazards and potential consequences for each step.
04

Assign controls: Specify engineering, administrative, and PPE measures and sign off.

Configuring Digital Workflow and Routing

Set up routing, authentication, and file formats to match your internal approval and recordkeeping requirements.

Field	Configuration
Routing order	Site Supervisor > Safety Manager > Project Owner
Authentication	Email link with optional SMS code or enterprise SSO
File format	Submit as PDF or PDF/A for archival integrity
Retention	Store signed copy in project folder for required retention period

How Submission and Approval Typically Flows

A common operational flow ensures the JSA is reviewed, accepted, and retained before work starts.

Draft: Prepare the JSA with task steps and controls.
Review: Safety manager verifies hazards and mitigation.
Authorize: Authorized signer approves and dates the plan.
Archive: Store executed copy and evidence of distribution.

Technical Considerations for Digital Completion

Choose file types and integrations that meet security and traceability needs before digitizing the JSA.

Supported formats: PDF, DOCX, and fillable forms
Integrations: Connectors for cloud storage and project systems
Security: TLS in transit and AES-256 at rest

Common Preparation Errors to Avoid

Vague task descriptions that group multiple activities and mask step-specific hazards and controls.
Listing generic controls like 'use caution' instead of specific engineering or PPE measures with acceptance criteria.
Missing dates or using inconsistent date formats that complicate incident timelines and audit trails.
Failing to record reviewer sign-offs or relying on initials without a printed name and role.

Consequences of an Incomplete or Incorrect JSA

OSHA Citations: Inadequate hazard controls can lead to citations and monetary penalties under OSHA rules.

Increased Claims: Incomplete documentation can increase workers' compensation and liability exposure.

Insurance Denial: Insurance providers may deny coverage for negligence or inadequate safety procedures.

Project Delays: Unresolved hazards can trigger stop-work orders and contractual schedule impacts.

Regulatory Scrutiny: Poor records invite deeper inspections and potential corrective action plans.

Legal Liability: Insufficient controls and missing sign-offs weaken defense in litigation.

Timing and Review Expectations for Work Plans and JSAs

Establish clear milestone dates for plan creation, periodic review, and incident reporting to meet operational and regulatory expectations.

Pre-Start Approval:

Plan should be completed and authorized before work begins on site.

Daily Briefings:

Review the JSA during each shift or job brief where conditions change.

Periodic Review:

Reassess and update JSA at least annually or after process changes.

Incident Reporting:

Report recordable incidents per OSHA within required timeframes and document corrective actions.

Record Retention:

Store executed JSAs for the retention period identified in your policy.

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Completing and Signing JSAs

The table summarizes common purchasing considerations for eSignature platforms used to finalize and retain JSAs; signNow is listed first for parity in comparison.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Bulk Send	Yes (Premium)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/yr	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Frequently Asked Questions About Work Plans and JSAs

Answers to common operational and legal questions about completing, signing, and retaining Work Plans and Job Safety Hazard Analyses.

Need help? Contact support

Is a JSA legally required?
OSHA does not always mandate a formal JSA for every task, but employers must identify and control hazards under the General Duty Clause and specific standards (see applicable 29 CFR parts). Documenting the analysis demonstrates due diligence and supports defenses in enforcement actions.
Can a JSA be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA in most states provided intent, consent, attribution, and reliable retention are demonstrated.
What level of signer authentication is appropriate?
Use authentication proportional to risk: an email link may suffice for low-risk internal approvals; multi-factor or enterprise SSO is advised for contractual acceptance or when regulatory auditability is required.
How long must I keep executed JSAs?
Retention varies: keep active project records while obligations exist, retain for 3–7 years commonly, and follow industry-specific laws such as HIPAA (6 years under 45 CFR §164.530(j)) where applicable.
What to do after an incident?
Preserve the executed JSA, stop-work documentation, and corrective actions; update the JSA to reflect root-cause changes and document retraining or engineering fixes.
How do I update an approved JSA?
Create a new revision with an updated effective date and sign-off. Clearly mark superseded versions and retain prior copies for the retention period to maintain an audit trail.

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