Landscaping · United States

JHA for retaining wall construction

By Safety PaperworkBuilt from OSHA standards and guidance · How we write and check theseUpdated November 9, 2026

OSHA expects employers to find and control hazards on every job, and many general contractors require a written JHA for retaining wall construction before you start.

A JHA breaks the job into steps, lists the hazards in each step and the controls that protect the crew, and the crew signs it. The main hazards are silica dust from concrete, brick, stone and tiles, hitting underground services, trench or excavation collapse and being hit by heavy equipment.

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JHA example: retaining wall construction

This is a complete JHA for retaining wall construction, with 10 job steps. Open it in the builder to add your site, crew and signatures, change anything, and download a PDF. Or download the free Word template below and fill it in by hand.

Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)

Retaining wall construction · Landscaping · Example

Document JHA-001 · Rev 1

Job steps, hazards and controls

#	Job step	Hazards	Risk before	Controls	Risk after
1	Get 811 locates and check the wall has an engineer's design where needed, such as most walls over 1 m or any wall holding up a building, driveway or slope	Hitting underground services	Critical	Keep machine buckets well clear of marked services and use a spotter. Engineering (guarding) Scan the area with a cable locator before digging and mark services on the ground. Engineering Hand dig or vacuum excavate to expose services before using a machine near them. Engineering Call 811 before you dig and wait until all utilities have marked their lines. Administrative Keep plans or locate tickets on site and check them again if the work area grows. Administrative Support or protect exposed utilities so they cannot sag or break while the excavation is open (29 CFR 1926.651(b)(4)). Administrative If you hit a service, stop, get everyone clear, and call the owner and emergency services. Administrative Wear safety boots, gloves and hi-vis when digging. PPE	Medium
2	Check neighbouring footings, fences and structures near the cut, and get engineer advice before digging close enough to undermine them	Trench or excavation collapse Public entering the work area	Critical	Use methods that keep people out of the trench, such as directional boring or working from the surface. Elimination Barricade or cover the excavation so people and equipment cannot fall in. Use guardrails on walkways that cross it (29 CFR 1926.651(l)). Engineering (guarding) Use a protective system (sloping, shoring or a trench box) in any trench 5 feet or deeper, or shallower if the competent person sees signs of a possible cave-in (29 CFR 1926.652). Engineering Protective systems for trenches over 20 feet deep are designed by a registered professional engineer (29 CFR 1926.652(b), (c)). Engineering Keep spoil, materials and equipment at least 2 feet back from the edge. Engineering Provide a ladder, stairway or ramp within 25 feet of workers in trenches 4 feet or deeper. Engineering Competent person inspects the trench daily, after rain and as conditions change, and tests the air before entry in trenches over 4 feet deep where a hazardous atmosphere could exist (29 CFR 1926.651(g), (k)). Administrative Nobody works in a trench where water is collecting unless the competent person has controls in place, such as pumping or special support (29 CFR 1926.651(h)). Administrative Nobody stands under a loaded bucket or near a truck being loaded (29 CFR 1926.651(e)). Administrative Never work alone in a trench. Watch for water, cracks and bulging walls, and get out if you see them. Administrative Wear a hard hat, hi-vis and safety boots. PPE Fence off the site with secure temporary fencing and lock the gates when you leave. Engineering (guarding) Give pedestrians a safe, marked path around the work, with ramps for strollers and wheelchairs. Engineering (guarding) Public entering the work area: see step 10 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
3	Set up an exclusion zone around the machines	Being hit by heavy equipment	Critical	Separate people and equipment with barriers, exclusion zones and marked walkways. Engineering (guarding) Use equipment with working backup alarms, cameras and lights. Engineering Being hit by heavy equipment: see step 7 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
4	Excavate the cut in short sections, battered or benched to the engineer's or geotechnical advice, and never let anyone work between an unsupported cut face and the wall	Trench or excavation collapse Being hit by heavy equipment	Critical	Trench or excavation collapse: see step 2 for the full controls Administrative Have a site traffic plan showing equipment routes, loading areas and pedestrian paths. Administrative Use a spotter when backing up or working near people. Administrative Being hit by heavy equipment: see step 7 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
5	Pour the footing or lay the base, capping any rebar bars	Wet concrete and cement burns Impalement on rebar	High	Use long-handled tools and pumps to cut down contact. Engineering Wash concrete off skin straight away with clean water. Administrative Have clean water and eye wash at the pour. Administrative Wear waterproof gloves, long sleeves and rubber boots with pants worn over the top. PPE Wear safety glasses or goggles to stop splashes. PPE Guard all protruding rebar to remove the impalement risk (29 CFR 1926.701(b)). Engineering Bend bars over where the design allows. Engineering Use guardrails or covers near vertical rebar so nobody can fall onto it. Engineering Keep walkways clear of exposed bars and mark the hazard. Administrative Wear gloves, safety glasses and safety boots when handling bar. PPE	Low
6	Lay drainage and the first course	Lifting and carrying heavy loads Repetitive work and awkward postures	High	Plan to avoid carrying: have materials delivered, and old items picked up, as close as possible to where they are used. Elimination Use lighter or smaller loads: order smaller bags and shorter lengths, and drain or break down old items before moving them. Substitution Lifting and carrying heavy loads: see step 7 for the full controls Administrative Use tools that cut the effort: powered screwdrivers, long-handled tools and extension poles for overhead work. Substitution Set work up at waist height on benches or trestles where you can. Engineering Use light tools with good grips, and keep blades and bits sharp. Engineering Rotate tasks and take short breaks every hour on repetitive work. Administrative Warm up before heavy physical work and report aches and pains early. Administrative Wear knee pads for kneeling work and gloves for grip. PPE	Medium
7	Lift blocks or sleepers with machines or two people	Lifting and carrying heavy loads Being hit by heavy equipment	Critical	Plan to avoid carrying: have materials delivered, and old items picked up, as close as possible to where they are used. Elimination Use lighter or smaller loads: order smaller bags and shorter lengths, and drain or break down old items before moving them. Substitution Use trolleys, pallet jacks, hoists, vacuum lifters or plant instead of carrying by hand. Engineering Use a two-person lift for anything heavy, long or awkward. Plan the route first and clear it. Administrative Keep the load close, back straight and no twisting. Turn with your feet. Administrative Rotate tasks and take breaks on long lifting jobs. Administrative Wear gloves for grip and safety boots to protect your feet. PPE Separate people and equipment with barriers, exclusion zones and marked walkways. Engineering (guarding) Use equipment with working backup alarms, cameras and lights. Engineering Have a site traffic plan showing equipment routes, loading areas and pedestrian paths. Administrative Use a spotter when backing up or working near people. Administrative Make eye contact with the operator before going near. Stay out of the swing radius. Administrative Operators are trained and authorized for each machine. Forklift and telehandler operators are trained, evaluated and certified by the employer (29 CFR 1910.178(l), via 1926.602(d)). Administrative Do a pre-start check on each machine every day and record it. Administrative Wear hi-vis clothing and a hard hat. PPE	Medium
8	Cut blocks wet, never dry	Silica dust from concrete, brick, stone and tiles Saw cuts and kickback Loud noise	Critical	Order materials cut to size, or use low-dust methods such as score and snap or a block splitter. Substitution Cut outdoors or in a separate area, with other people well away and upwind. Engineering (guarding) Use wet cutting or on-tool dust collection with a HEPA vacuum, as set out in Table 1 of 29 CFR 1926.1153. Engineering Clean up with a vacuum or wet methods. Never dry sweep or use compressed air. Administrative Have a written exposure control plan and a competent person for silica (29 CFR 1926.1153). Administrative Workers who must wear a respirator 30 or more days a year get a free medical exam every 3 years (29 CFR 1926.1153(h)). Administrative Wear the respirator Table 1 lists for the task: APF 10 (a fit-tested N95 or half mask) for most tasks, APF 25 (such as a loose-fitting PAPR) for tuckpointing with a handheld grinder for more than 4 hours a shift. PPE Keep blade guards fitted and working, and use the riving knife on table saws. Engineering Use push sticks and clamps, and support long pieces so they do not pinch the blade. Engineering Use a sharp, undamaged blade made for the material. Administrative Stand to one side of the blade line, out of the kickback path. Administrative Let the blade stop fully before reaching in or putting the saw down. Administrative Use quieter tools and methods, such as cut-to-size materials, low-noise machines and battery tools. Substitution Keep noisy plant away from work areas, and use screens or distance between the noise and people. Engineering (guarding) Keep tools maintained and use mufflers on compressors and generators. Engineering Limit time on noisy tools and rotate workers. Administrative If you have to shout to be heard at arm's length, wear hearing protection. Administrative	Medium
9	Backfill and compact behind the wall in layers as it goes up	Hand-arm and whole-body vibration Being hit by heavy equipment Trench or excavation collapse	Critical	Use low-vibration tools and methods, such as a breaker on an excavator instead of a hand jackhammer. Substitution Keep tools sharp and well maintained, and use anti-vibration handles and seats. Engineering Limit trigger time on high-vibration tools and rotate workers. Administrative Keep hands warm and dry, and take regular breaks. Administrative Report tingling, numbness or white fingers early. Administrative Being hit by heavy equipment: see step 7 for the full controls Administrative Trench or excavation collapse: see step 2 for the full controls Administrative	Medium
10	Barricade the top of the wall until the permanent fence or balustrade is in, then clean up	Public entering the work area Poor housekeeping and waste	High	Fence off the site with secure temporary fencing and lock the gates when you leave. Engineering (guarding) Give pedestrians a safe, marked path around the work, with ramps for strollers and wheelchairs. Engineering (guarding) Use hoarding, covered walkways or catch fans where work is above public areas. Engineering Put signs at each entry: site name, contact number and "No unauthorized entry". Administrative Make the site safe at the end of each day: cover holes, lower plant, remove ladders and lock tools away. Administrative Use a spotter when moving plant or materials across public paths. Administrative Order materials to size and send packaging back where you can. Elimination Put dumpsters and waste chutes close to the work. Engineering Clean as you go, and do a full clean up at the end of each day. Administrative Keep exits, stairs and walkways clear at all times. Administrative Stack materials neatly on level ground, away from edges. Administrative Wear gloves when handling waste. PPE	Low

PPE

Safety-toe boots (ASTM F2413)High-visibility safety apparel, ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 2 or 3 (Type R near roadways)Work glovesSafety glasses (ANSI Z87.1)Hearing protection (earmuffs or plugs)N95 respiratorHard hat (ANSI Z89.1)Chemical-resistant glovesSafety goggles (ANSI Z87.1)Knee padsHalf-face respirator (P100 cartridges)

Plant and equipment

ExcavatorSkid steerPlate compactorConcrete saw (cut-off saw)Hand tools

Emergency

Call 911. Add the nearest hospital, the assembly point and the first aid / cpr person for your site.

Sign-off

Supervisor and every worker sign to confirm they have read and understood this JHA.

Free JHA template for retaining wall construction

Word (.docx) and PDF, Letter landscape, no email needed. Fill in your site details, then print or send it.

Word template (.docx)PDF template

Make yours in 2 minutes

Same document, filled in for your job. Answer a few yes or no questions, the crew signs on the phone, and you send the PDF.

Start this JHA

Pre-start checklist for retaining wall construction

Tick these off before work starts. They come from the hazards, permits and equipment in this job.

JHA read, explained and signed by everyone on the job
811 ticket current and services marked
Shoring, sloping, benching or a trench box in place; spoil kept back from the edge
Water suppression or on-tool extraction fitted; respirators fit tested
Exclusion zone and spotter set up for equipment and traffic
Exclusion zone below the work and public kept out
First aid / CPR person, first aid kit and emergency number (911) confirmed
PPE checked and worn: safety-toe boots (ASTM F2413), high-visibility safety apparel, ANSI/ISEA 107 class 2 or 3 (type r near roadways), work gloves, safety glasses (ANSI Z87.1)

The safe sequence of work

Get 811 locates and check the wall has an engineer's design where needed, such as most walls over 1 m or any wall holding up a building, driveway or slope
Check neighbouring footings, fences and structures near the cut, and get engineer advice before digging close enough to undermine them
Set up an exclusion zone around the machines
Excavate the cut in short sections, battered or benched to the engineer's or geotechnical advice, and never let anyone work between an unsupported cut face and the wall
Pour the footing or lay the base, capping any rebar bars
Lay drainage and the first course
Lift blocks or sleepers with machines or two people
Cut blocks wet, never dry
Backfill and compact behind the wall in layers as it goes up
Barricade the top of the wall until the permanent fence or balustrade is in, then clean up

Hazards to watch on retaining wall construction

The hazards most specific to this job, and the step where each one comes up.

Step 5Impalement on rebarA worker falls or trips onto exposed rebar and is impaled or badly cut.

Step 2, 4, 9Trench or excavation collapseThe trench walls cave in and bury or crush a worker. Trenches 5 feet or deeper need a protective system, and shallower ones do too if there are signs of a possible cave-in.

Step 5Wet concrete and cement burnsWet concrete, mortar and cement burn skin and eyes. Burns can be deep and are often not felt until later.

Step 9Hand-arm and whole-body vibrationLong periods on jackhammers, grinders, compactors or riding plant cause white finger, numbness and back damage.

Step 1Hitting underground servicesDigging, drilling or driving pegs hits a buried power cable, gas pipe or water main, causing electrocution, explosion or flooding.

Step 3, 4, 7, 9Being hit by heavy equipmentExcavators, loaders, telehandlers and trucks run over or crush workers, especially when backing up or swinging.

Highest risk on retaining wall construction: Critical before controls (B), down to Medium after controls (A), on the United States 5 by 5 risk matrix (likely and fatality becomes unlikely and serious injury).

What changes on your site

This example covers the job itself. Your site may add more. Add controls for any of these that apply (the builder asks you these as yes or no questions):

Will anyone work 6 feet or more above a lower level?
Will anyone use a ladder or stepladder?
Will anyone work on a roof?
Is there a skylight, fiberglass panel or other fragile roofing?
Will you use a scaffold or rolling tower?

Why JHAs get rejected

General contractors send documents back for these reasons. This example avoids them, but check yours too.

Generic steps such as "work safely" or "use PPE" with no task-specific hazards or controls.
No OSHA standards referenced for the hazards that have them, such as fall protection, ladders, scaffolds or silica.
No competent person named for fall protection, excavation, scaffolds or silica where those hazards exist.
Equipment listed without inspection requirements, and no training listed for the people using it.
Respirators listed with no respiratory protection program, medical clearance or fit test.
Controls rely only on PPE when engineering controls such as guardrails, wet cutting or extraction are feasible.
No crew sign-off, or no date and revision when the job has changed.

Questions

Do I need a JHA for retaining wall construction?

OSHA expects employers to find and control hazards on every job, and many general contractors require a written JHA for retaining wall construction before you start.

Who signs the JHA?

The supervisor or competent person who prepared it signs, and every crew member signs to show they were trained on the hazards and controls before the job starts. Many general contractors also sign to accept it.

How long do I keep it?

Keep this JHA on site during the job, and keep it with the training and inspection records for at least 1 year after the job (longer if your state plan or general contractor requires it). OSHA does not set a retention period for JHAs themselves.

What PPE is needed for retaining wall construction?

Usually Safety-toe boots (ASTM F2413), High-visibility safety apparel, ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 2 or 3 (Type R near roadways), Work gloves, Safety glasses (ANSI Z87.1), Hearing protection (earmuffs or plugs), N95 respirator, Hard hat (ANSI Z89.1), Chemical-resistant gloves, Safety goggles (ANSI Z87.1), Knee pads, Half-face respirator (P100 cartridges). The site rules may add more, so check with the general contractor.

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Related jobs in other trades

ConcretingConcrete Slab PourAlso involves being hit by heavy equipment Excavation and earthworksTrenching and ExcavationAlso involves hitting underground services RoofingRoof ReplacementAlso involves public entering the work area ScaffoldingScaffold ErectionAlso involves public entering the work area Welding and fabricationSteel ErectionAlso involves public entering the work area PaintingLead Paint Removal (RRP)Also involves public entering the work area

Toolbox talks for this job

Toolbox talkSilica Dust Toolbox talkHearing Protection and Noise Toolbox talkHand-Arm Vibration Toolbox talkPPE: Personal Protective Equipment

Blank JHA template: free JHA templates. Also for other countries: Australia (SWMS) · United Kingdom (RAMS) · Canada (FLHA)