Integration of Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) in Heavy Infrastructure Construction

Abstract

The construction industry, specifically the heavy infrastructure and underground sectors, acts as a primary catalyst for national economic development. It provides the basic physical framework for the nation while generating maximum jobs for skilled and unskilled labor in urban and rural areas. However, construction is inherently perilous, contributing to a substantial percentage of global occupational fatalities and injuries. The dynamic and constantly changing physical environments of construction sites necessitate a shift from traditional manufacturing-centric safety models. This comprehensive research paper presents an integrated framework combining Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA), tailored specifically for heavy infrastructure and underground metro construction. By systematically breaking down complex activities—such as deep shaft excavation, Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) operations, scaffold erection, and heavy lifting—into fundamental job steps, this study identifies critical loss-of-control events. Quantitative risk assessment matrices are utilized to calculate Risk Priority Numbers (RPN) before and after the implementation of engineering controls, strict Permit to Work (PTW) systems, and specialized Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The methodology evaluated 78 distinct construction stages, uncovering 847 potential loss-of-control events. The findings demonstrate a significant reduction in risk scores across all sectors, effectively transitioning 'Extreme-Intolerable' hazards to 'Low-Tolerable' limits. Ultimately, this research provides a proactive, actionable safety planning model, complete with exhaustive safety checklists and matrices, to achieve a 'zero-harm' environment in massive underground infrastructure projects