Creating an Area Hazard Analysis (AHA)

Each AHA serves as a reminder to workers who regularly perform tasks in these areas. AHAs are also valuable to those do not regularly work in a given facility where hazards are not immediately recognizable.

SLAC's Building, Area, and Line Managers know the facilities and issues surrounding each facility, and take action as needed.

The AHA serves:

• workers in an unfamiliar area, directing them to be aware of potential hazards and mitigation strategies should they arrive to work an be unable to locate the area manager or an experienced local area worker
• as documentation of a thoughtful approach for area hazards and mitigation strategies
• to further integrate safety and environment practices with daily operations

Steps within the Area Hazard Analysis:

1. List processes, equipment, and facility.
2. Identify potential hazards and related risks, conflicts and interactions with other processes or equipment.
3. Develop controls to reduce the associated risk to an acceptable level. Most hazards are mitigated by applying commonly accepted controls.
   
   Note:  Certain identified hazards such as ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, oxygen deficiency, and confined space, require specialized analysis and are controlled by other processes at SLAC (such as specific Safety Assessment Documents, safety procedures, citizen committees, etc.). These additional processes often require review by citizen committees and approval by management.

For hazards already addressed in existing safety documents, the documents and their location should be identified in the AHA. Copying the information directly into the AHA is not necessary.  Safety documents can be Safety Analysis Documents (SADs), Citizen Committee reviews, Fire Hazard Analyses, Independent Safety Reviews, and other similar documents.

Certain identified hazards (such as ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, oxygen deficiency, and confined space) require specialized analyses and are controlled by other processes at SLAC (such as specific SADs, safety procedures, citizen committees, etc.). An AHA alone is not sufficient for these identified hazards.

Download the AHA Work Form to assist you - (last updated 6/20/06)

Examples of AHAs
Office Space
Machine Shop
CEF Shop
also see the AHA Library for currently existing AHAs

Please read the Frequently Asked Questions for more information, or contact the Safety Support Desk at x4554 for more information.