What is an FLHA, and why do we do one?

An FLHA, or Field Level Hazard Assessment, is the crew's check before work starts. The crew talks about what they are doing, what could hurt someone, and what they will do about it.

What the name means

Field level: Where the work happens.

Hazard: Something that could hurt someone.

Assessment: Thinking about what could happen, and what to do about it.

Other names you may hear

Some sites say FLRA (Field Level Risk Assessment), pre-task plan, or hazard assessment. Some use a JSA (Job Safety Analysis), also called JHA (Job Hazard Analysis). A JSA is often a different form, made before the job. Your supervisor can tell you which one your crew fills in. Lesson 11 explains the difference.

Why your employer and the site ask for it

Here is an everyday example. Say you are a general labourer. Today, you, Maria, and Ali are moving boxes from the loading area at the back of the building into room 3, using a cart.

Your employer and the company running the site, often called the general contractor (GC), know what needs to be done: the boxes need to be in room 3 today.

What they may not know

They may not know what the crew will find today:

• Some boxes are heavier than they look.
• One box has a damaged bottom.
• Other workers are walking through the hallway.
• There is water on the floor in room 3.

Those details matter. Someone could hurt their back, drop a box, or slip. The cart could hit someone in the hallway.

How the FLHA helps

The FLHA gives your crew a chance to notice these problems and talk about what to do before starting.

Your supervisor can then arrange equipment, help, or cleanup. If the work affects another crew, the GC can help plan around it.

How it helps you

It is a chance to ask questions and say what you need. Someone else may notice something you missed. You may notice something they missed.

Filling in the form is only one part. It helps prevent injuries when people notice, talk, and act before starting.