Free safety resource
Use this free construction AHA template to define work activities, identify job steps and hazards, establish controls, evaluate risk, and communicate planned safety measures with the project team.
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An Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA) is a structured process used to plan work by identifying the steps involved in an activity, the hazards associated with those steps, the controls needed to address those hazards, and applicable risk information.
AHAs are commonly associated with construction safety planning, including on certain federal and military construction projects. Not every project or employer is required to use a document called an AHA; terminology and requirements can differ by employer, owner, contract, agency, and safety program.
Review the template below, or download a printable PDF version with the same fields. No email, sign-up, or payment required.
Download Free AHA TemplateUse the risk-assessment method required by your employer, project, contract, or applicable safety program.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Select PPE based on the actual hazards and applicable requirements. PPE selection does not replace consideration of higher-level controls.
Clearly identify the activity or definable feature of work being analyzed.
List the work in a logical sequence.
Consider the hazards associated with each step.
Follow the hierarchy of controls: Elimination → Substitution → Engineering Controls → Administrative Controls → PPE. Higher-level controls should be considered where feasible rather than relying solely on PPE.
Use the project's applicable risk-assessment method to evaluate risk before controls.
Reassess risk after controls are selected.
Consider training, competent/qualified persons, inspections, permits, procedures, manufacturer requirements, specifications, and other applicable requirements.
Review relevant hazards and controls with affected personnel according to applicable project/employer requirements.
Reconsider the AHA when the scope, sequence, equipment, hazards, conditions, personnel responsibilities, or applicable requirements materially change.
Activity: Excavation and Trenching. Risk ratings are intentionally left out: they depend on the risk matrix or method that applies to your project.
Potential hazards
Example controls
Potential hazards
Example controls
Potential hazards
Example controls
Potential hazards
Example controls
This example is for educational purposes only. Actual hazards, controls, risk ratings, protective systems, inspections, competent-person requirements, and other safety measures must be determined for the specific work and applicable requirements.
Use this list as a starting point. It is not an exhaustive checklist; every activity and worksite should be evaluated on its own conditions.
Activity Hazard Analysis and Job Hazard Analysis are both structured approaches for identifying hazards and controls. Their terminology, scope, risk-assessment methods, approval processes, and documentation requirements can differ depending on the employer, project, owner, contract, or agency, so they should not be assumed to be interchangeable.
AHAs are commonly used on projects where applicable federal or military contract requirements and safety programs call for them. For example, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers safety manual, EM 385-1-1, addresses activity hazard analyses for work performed under contracts that incorporate it.
Project teams must determine which edition of EM 385-1-1, contract specifications, owner requirements, regulations, and other safety provisions apply to their specific project.
This template does not by itself satisfy EM 385-1-1 or any other requirement. Neither this template nor Cintra Safety Pro is approved, endorsed, or sponsored by USACE, the U.S. Army, DoD, OSHA, or any other government agency.
Hazard analysis can support broader hazard identification and risk-management activities, helping teams plan controls before work begins and revisit them as conditions change. OSHA does not require every employer to use a document specifically called an AHA.
Employers and project teams remain responsible for determining and complying with the regulations, contract requirements, specifications, and safety standards applicable to their work.
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