Glossary
AHA
Also: Activity Hazard Analysis
A written analysis of a specific task: the steps, the hazards each step creates, and the controls in place for each hazard.
AHA stands for Activity Hazard Analysis. It’s a written analysis prepared for a specific task or activity before the activity begins. For each step of the task, the AHA identifies the hazards the step creates and the controls in place to eliminate, reduce, or guard against each hazard.
AHAs are common on federal construction projects (the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers EM 385-1-1 manual requires them) and are used widely on commercial projects as well. The AHA is signed by the competent person responsible for the task, and reviewed by the crew before the work starts.
JHA is a closely related document and is often used interchangeably with AHA. Some standards distinguish between them: JHA at the job-wide level, AHA at the per-activity level. Many shops just pick one term and use it throughout.