Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA): Templates, Examples & EM 385-1-1 Guide
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An Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA) is a formal risk management document required on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Department of Defense (DoD) construction contracts. AHAs identify hazards associated with each step of a construction activity, assess risk using a standardized Risk Assessment Code (RAC) matrix, and document the controls needed to reduce risk to an acceptable level.
AHAs are mandated by EM 385-1-1, the USACE Safety and Health Requirements Manual, which governs safety on all USACE construction projects. Every Definable Feature of Work (DFOW) on a USACE contract requires its own AHA before work can begin. The AHA must be prepared by the contractor, reviewed by the Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO), and approved by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).
Unlike a standard Job Safety Analysis (JSA) or Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), an AHA includes several additional components: RAC risk ratings for each step, EM 385-1-1 section references, competent and qualified person designations, and detailed equipment, training, and inspection requirements. These additional elements make the AHA a more comprehensive safety planning tool specifically designed for the complexity and regulatory environment of federal construction.
Disclaimer
This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for a site-specific Job Safety Analysis conducted by a qualified safety professional familiar with your workplace conditions, equipment, and personnel. OSHA citations, BLS statistics, and hazard controls referenced here may not reflect the most current standards or apply to your specific situation. Always consult current OSHA regulations, manufacturer guidelines, and a competent person before beginning work. Health & Safety Systems LLC assumes no liability for actions taken based on this content.
AHA Document Lifecycle
Every AHA follows a defined lifecycle on USACE and DoD projects. The process is cyclical — AHAs are revised whenever site conditions change, incidents occur, or new phases of work begin.
AHA vs. JSA vs. JHA: Key Differences
All three documents break work into steps and identify hazards and controls, but they serve different audiences and regulatory frameworks. Here's how they compare:
| AHA | JSA | JHA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Activity Hazard Analysis | Job Safety Analysis | Job Hazard Analysis |
| Primary Use | USACE/DoD construction contracts | General industry safety planning | General industry hazard identification |
| Governing Standard | EM 385-1-1 | OSHA recommended (not mandated) | OSHA 3071 guidance |
| Risk Assessment | RAC matrix (severity x probability) | Varies by organization | Varies by organization |
| Competent Person Required | Yes, designated per activity | No formal requirement | No formal requirement |
| Equipment/Training Checklist | Yes, per EM 385-1-1 | Optional | Optional |
| DFOW Scoping | Yes, one AHA per DFOW | No formal scoping requirement | No formal scoping requirement |
| Approval Process | SSHO + COR review | Supervisor review typical | Supervisor review typical |
The bottom line: if you're working on a USACE or DoD contract, you need an AHA. If you're in general industry or non-federal construction, a JSA or JHA will typically meet your safety planning needs. JSABuilder supports all three formats.
Risk Assessment Code (RAC) Matrix
The RAC matrix is the risk assessment tool used in AHAs. It combines hazard severity (how bad the outcome could be) with probability (how likely it is to occur) to produce a numerical risk rating from 1 to 5.
Each AHA assesses risk twice: initial risk (before controls are applied) and residual risk (after controls are in place). The goal is to demonstrate that controls reduce risk to an acceptable level. Work should not proceed if residual risk remains at RAC 1 (Extremely High) without additional mitigation and command approval.
EM 385-1-1: USACE Safety and Health Requirements
EM 385-1-1 is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Safety and Health Requirements Manual. It establishes minimum safety standards for all USACE military and civil works construction contracts, and is also adopted by other federal agencies and some state DOTs for their construction projects.
Key sections relevant to AHA preparation include:
- Section 01.A: General safety requirements, including the requirement that AHAs be prepared for each Definable Feature of Work before work begins.
- Section 01.A.13: Activity Hazard Analysis requirements, specifying format, content, review process, and when AHAs must be updated.
- Section 01.A.14: Preconstruction safety conference requirements, where initial AHAs are typically reviewed.
- Section 01.A.17: Competent and qualified person requirements, including training and designation criteria.
- Section 06.A: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements applicable across all activities.
The current edition of EM 385-1-1 (2024) incorporates updated OSHA standards, expanded environmental requirements, and revised AHA formatting guidance. Contractors must ensure their AHAs reference the edition specified in their contract.
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Follow these 10 steps to prepare a compliant AHA for your USACE or DoD construction project:
Step 1: Define the activity scope
Identify the Definable Feature of Work (DFOW) and break the activity into discrete phases. Reference the project scope, contract requirements, and applicable EM 385-1-1 sections.
Step 2: Identify the work steps
List each step of the activity in chronological order. Include mobilization, setup, execution, and demobilization phases.
Step 3: Identify hazards for each step
For each work step, identify all potential hazards including physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic hazards. Reference OSHA standards and EM 385-1-1 requirements.
Step 4: Assess initial risk using the RAC matrix
Assign a severity level (Catastrophic, Critical, Marginal, Negligible) and probability level (Frequent, Likely, Occasional, Seldom, Unlikely) to determine the initial Risk Assessment Code for each hazard.
Step 5: Develop controls for each hazard
Apply the hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE. Each hazard must have at least one control measure.
Step 6: Assess residual risk
Re-evaluate the RAC after controls are applied. The residual risk should be reduced to an acceptable level. If residual risk remains High or Extremely High, additional controls are needed.
Step 7: Identify competent and qualified persons
Designate the competent persons required by EM 385-1-1 for the activity. Document their qualifications and authority to stop work.
Step 8: List equipment, training, and inspections
Document all required equipment, certifications, training, and inspection schedules. Reference specific EM 385-1-1 sections and OSHA standards.
Step 9: Review and approve
Submit the AHA to the site safety and health officer (SSHO) and the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for review. Obtain signatures from all responsible parties before work begins.
Step 10: Brief the crew and post on site
Conduct an AHA briefing with all workers involved in the activity. Post the approved AHA at the work location and ensure all workers have access to it.
Definable Features of Work (DFOW)
A Definable Feature of Work (DFOW) is a task or operation that is separate and distinct from other work activities on a construction project. EM 385-1-1 requires a separate AHA for each DFOW. Common DFOWs include:
- Excavation and trenching
- Concrete placement and finishing
- Structural steel erection
- Electrical installation
- Mechanical/HVAC installation
- Roofing
- Demolition
- Scaffold erection and use
- Crane and rigging operations
- Painting and coating
- Welding and hot work
- Confined space entry
- Masonry
- Heavy equipment operations
Each DFOW has unique hazards, controls, and EM 385-1-1 requirements. Use our activity-specific AHA templates below as a starting point for your project.
AHA Templates by Activity
Select an activity below to view a detailed AHA template with hazards, controls, RAC ratings, EM 385-1-1 references, and competent person requirements.
Equipment & Training Requirements
EM 385-1-1 requires that AHAs document all equipment, training, and inspections needed for each activity. These requirements vary by DFOW but typically include:
Training
- USACE EM 385-1-1 40-hour safety training (all site personnel)
- 8-hour EM 385-1-1 refresher (annual)
- Activity-specific competent person training
- OSHA 10-hour or 30-hour construction (as required by contract)
- First aid/CPR certification
- Equipment operator certification
Inspections
- Daily site safety inspections by SSHO
- Pre-task safety briefings before each shift
- Weekly documented safety inspections
- Equipment pre-use inspections (daily)
- Third-party inspections per contract schedule
- Post-incident inspections and AHA updates
Frequently Asked Questions
▶ What is an Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA)?
An Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA) is a formal risk management document required on USACE (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) and Department of Defense construction contracts. It identifies hazards, assesses risk using a Risk Assessment Code (RAC) matrix, and documents controls for each step of a construction activity. AHAs are required under EM 385-1-1, the USACE Safety and Health Requirements Manual.
▶ What is the difference between an AHA, JSA, and JHA?
A JSA (Job Safety Analysis) and JHA (Job Hazard Analysis) are general-purpose hazard analysis tools used across all industries. An AHA is specifically designed for USACE and DoD contracts and includes additional requirements not found in JSAs or JHAs: a Risk Assessment Code (RAC) matrix, EM 385-1-1 section references, Definable Features of Work (DFOW), competent person designations, and equipment/training/inspection checklists. All three documents break work into steps and identify hazards and controls, but the AHA format is more comprehensive.
▶ When is an AHA required?
An AHA is required for every Definable Feature of Work (DFOW) on USACE and DoD construction contracts governed by EM 385-1-1. The AHA must be prepared before work begins on each activity and reviewed whenever conditions change. Some state DOTs and federal agencies outside the DoD also require AHAs on their construction projects.
▶ What is a Definable Feature of Work (DFOW)?
A Definable Feature of Work (DFOW) is a task or activity that is separate and distinct from other work activities on a construction project. Examples include excavation, concrete placement, steel erection, roofing, and electrical installation. Each DFOW requires its own AHA under EM 385-1-1.
▶ What is the RAC matrix used in AHAs?
The Risk Assessment Code (RAC) matrix is a 5x4 grid that combines hazard severity (Catastrophic, Critical, Marginal, Negligible) with probability of occurrence (Frequent, Likely, Occasional, Seldom, Unlikely) to produce a risk rating from 1 (Extremely High) to 5 (Low). AHAs use the RAC matrix to assess both initial risk before controls and residual risk after controls are applied, demonstrating that the activity can be performed at an acceptable risk level.
▶ Who is responsible for preparing an AHA?
The prime contractor or subcontractor performing the work is responsible for preparing the AHA. The Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO) reviews and approves the AHA. The Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or Government Safety representative may also review AHAs. All workers performing the activity must be briefed on the AHA before work begins.
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