JHA / JSA / AHA builderVacuum Glass Lifter Operation JHA
A JHA breaks the work into steps, hazards and controls. Use this example to build a draft for your actual job and review it with your crew.
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Step 1 of 4 · Working draft
Your job
Tell Jenkins what you’re planning and where the work will happen. Use the actual job details.
Use the published example’s suggestions when they fit your task, or write your own steps. These are planned controls, not verified worksite conditions.
Describe an observable step, how someone could be harmed, and the control that acts on that hazard. Identify who checks it and what evidence is needed.
Walk through the plan with the people doing the work. Resolve missing controls and agree who checks them. Moving to the next step does not approve the work.
Confirm people, equipment and emergency arrangements
Record changes, checks, and open actions
Walk the work area, review with the crew, and resolve missing controls. Follow the required approval process. This tool does not judge completeness, verify signatures or authorize work.
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Your Vacuum Glass Lifter Operation JHA
Walk through the job in order. Use these possible hazards, planned controls and checks to start a conversation about your actual work.
011. Identify the panel and movement
Possible hazards: Unknown weight or unsuitable glass can exceed device limits or lose attachment.
Planned controls: Glazing lead confirms panel identification, weight, condition and surface compatibility with the lifter’s configuration and planned movement. Hold unresolved capacity or suitability.
Check before work: Compare the actual panel with lifting documents and the unit instructions.
022. Prepare receiving support and the route
Possible hazards: A suspended panel can strike people or arrive at an unstable support.
Planned controls: Set the receiving support and separate the travel, swing and potential fall zones. Agree signals and safe guide positions.
Check before work: Lead checks the route and receiving support before attachment.
033. Inspect and attach the lifter
Possible hazards: Damaged pads, contamination or failed vacuum controls can drop glass.
Planned controls: Use the manufacturer’s inspection, pad preparation, attachment and specified safe function-check procedure. Verify required indicators and alarms; remove a defective lifter from service.
Check before work: Authorized operator records the unit-specific checks before the lift.
044. Move the panel under control
Possible hazards: A vacuum loss, swing or rotation can crush or cut workers.
Planned controls: Use the planned hoist and lifter method, maintain required indicators and keep people out of the panel’s fall and pinch paths. Follow the unit’s response to an alarm; never stand beneath to catch glass.
Check before work: Operator monitors attachment status; lift lead maintains communication and boundary.
055. Support the panel and release vacuum
Possible hazards: Early release can drop or overturn the panel.
Planned controls: Land on the prepared support and secure the panel by the planned receiving method. Release vacuum only after the designated lead confirms independent support.
Check before work: Lead verifies support and restraint before authorizing release.
066. Secure the device and hand over
Possible hazards: An unsecured panel or damaged device can expose the next user.
Planned controls: Confirm the panel’s storage or installation restraint, inspect the lifter after use and isolate defects. Communicate actual panel and equipment status.
Check before work: Glazing lead checks restraint and the device’s closeout condition.
Example scope and starting conditions
A glazing crew will move a specified glass panel from a secured rack to a receiving support with a vacuum lifting device and an approved hoisting arrangement at ground level. This fictional learning example records planned controls; it supplies no actual inspections or work authorization.
- Panel weight, surface, geometry and orientation must suit the actual lifter configuration and instructions.
- The receiving support and controlled travel area are ready before attachment.
- This excludes elevated glazing, damaged glass and treating a hand suction cup as a rated hoisting device.
Know when to pause
- Panel surface, weight or orientation differs.
- Vacuum indicators, alarms or attachment behavior change.
- Wind, travel clearance or receiving support changes.
After a pause, correct the condition, reassess the work, and obtain required authorization before restarting.
Free example and template
No account required. The worked example contains planned controls. The blank template is for your own work; neither includes fabricated inspection results, signatures or approval.
Worked exampleNeed help? Ask Jenkins
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For managers
Does the team have what it needs to carry out the plan? Give the crew time, equipment and support, and make it clear who will resolve anything that is missing.
Manager checks and supporting resources
Confirm the people doing the work have the time, equipment, information and support to carry out the plan. Agree who checks the controls and who resolves open actions.
Questions to resolve before work
- What confirms panel and lifter compatibility in the intended orientation?
- Which vacuum checks and alarm responses does this unit require?
- How will the panel be supported before vacuum is released?
Training and qualifications to confirm
- Actual vacuum lifter setup, checks, alarms and prescribed response.
- Applicable hoist, rigging and signaling roles and qualifications.
Confirm the actual training evidence for the assigned people. A toolbox talk does not establish competence.
Decisions that change the plan
Can a hand suction cup replace a vacuum lifter?
Only equipment specifically suitable for the intended load and lifting arrangement can be used. A hand cup’s appearance or label does not establish suitability for hoisting; reassess against its instructions and the lift design.
What must be recorded before this example is used on a job?
Replace the scenario with the actual work, identify additional hazards with the crew, and record the applicable instructions, responsible people, inspection findings, unresolved actions and required authorization. A planned verification is not an inspection result.
Keep planning connected
Resources that support this JHA
Additional tools for task planning and safe work. Start with the free resources; explore paid options only when they meet an additional need.
Toolbox talks for the work
Prepare a practical crew discussion.
Rigging: Before the Load Moves →Line of Fire: Swing Radius & Suspended Loads →Hand Protection: Match the Glove to the Task →Vacuum Glass Lifters: Verify Before the Panel Moves →
Safety program resources
Review procedures, roles, and requirements.
Browse the existing catalog and confirm the scope and purchase availability of each program.
Browse safety programs →
Paid service · Availability
Task-specific training and qualifications
Explore applicable training and qualification needs.
Task-specific training services are not currently available to book here. Start with the free training-needs lookup; a toolbox talk or online course alone does not establish competence or employer authorization.
Review training needs · Free →People, equipment, emergency arrangements and open actions are recorded in the guided JHA’s Crew review step.
Open the crew review step →For safety professionals
How do we know the planning process and controls are working? Connect what the crew reports with field checks, risk decisions and the evidence behind your system.
Industry context, SIF, control verification and AHA review
Guidance and evidence
Review the method, risk decisions and evidence behind the plan. Use the actual jurisdiction, equipment instructions, employer process and project requirements.
Task-by-task control and verification rationale
1. Identify the panel and movement
Hazard: Unknown weight or unsuitable glass can exceed device limits or lose attachment.
Control: Glazing lead confirms panel identification, weight, condition and surface compatibility with the lifter’s configuration and planned movement. Hold unresolved capacity or suitability.
Verification: Compare the actual panel with lifting documents and the unit instructions.
Why this belongs in the analysis: A nominal capacity alone may not apply to every orientation or surface.
2. Prepare receiving support and the route
Hazard: A suspended panel can strike people or arrive at an unstable support.
Control: Set the receiving support and separate the travel, swing and potential fall zones. Agree signals and safe guide positions.
Verification: Lead checks the route and receiving support before attachment.
Why this belongs in the analysis: The receiving arrangement must exist before the panel moves.
3. Inspect and attach the lifter
Hazard: Damaged pads, contamination or failed vacuum controls can drop glass.
Control: Use the manufacturer’s inspection, pad preparation, attachment and specified safe function-check procedure. Verify required indicators and alarms; remove a defective lifter from service.
Verification: Authorized operator records the unit-specific checks before the lift.
Why this belongs in the analysis: Pad contact does not prove a reliable vacuum attachment.
4. Move the panel under control
Hazard: A vacuum loss, swing or rotation can crush or cut workers.
Control: Use the planned hoist and lifter method, maintain required indicators and keep people out of the panel’s fall and pinch paths. Follow the unit’s response to an alarm; never stand beneath to catch glass.
Verification: Operator monitors attachment status; lift lead maintains communication and boundary.
Why this belongs in the analysis: An alarm requires the prescribed response rather than a faster lift.
5. Support the panel and release vacuum
Hazard: Early release can drop or overturn the panel.
Control: Land on the prepared support and secure the panel by the planned receiving method. Release vacuum only after the designated lead confirms independent support.
Verification: Lead verifies support and restraint before authorizing release.
Why this belongs in the analysis: Independent support ends reliance on the lifting device.
6. Secure the device and hand over
Hazard: An unsecured panel or damaged device can expose the next user.
Control: Confirm the panel’s storage or installation restraint, inspect the lifter after use and isolate defects. Communicate actual panel and equipment status.
Verification: Glazing lead checks restraint and the device’s closeout condition.
Why this belongs in the analysis: The lift ends with both glass and equipment in a controlled state.
Compare control wording
| Needs improvement | More useful for this scenario |
|---|---|
| Be careful around the equipment. | Use the manufacturer’s inspection, pad preparation, attachment and specified safe function-check procedure. Verify required indicators and alarms; remove a defective lifter from service. |
| Check the area before starting. | Glazing lead confirms panel identification, weight, condition and surface compatibility with the lifter’s configuration and planned movement. Hold unresolved capacity or suitability. |
Common questions
Can this be used as a JSA?
Use the Task | Hazard | Control structure if it meets the employer’s format. Adapt the boundaries, controls, verification and records to the actual job.
Does this provide a completed USACE AHA?
No. Use the project’s required AHA process, risk method, supporting fields and acceptance requirements. The existing formwork AHA explains the additional structure.
Are these resources part of a paid course?
This walkthrough, browser draft builder and downloads are free public resources, separate from Academy course enrollment.
References and source note
Original worked example developed for the stated scenario. Primary references support the planning framework; the actual equipment manual, product instructions and project design must supply applicable operating and acceptance criteria. Use actual equipment instructions and site requirements alongside these references. Reference review: October 9, 2026.
Developed by Todd Jerome Jenkins, MS, CSP · Edition v1.0 · October 9, 2026
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