Overview
The Mother JSA is the foundation of every Safety Square project. It captures the stable, site-specific safety information that crews need before work begins. This guide covers best practices for each section.
Understanding the Mother JSA Structure
The Mother JSA has two parts:
Immutable After Approval (Sections 00-06)
- Cannot be edited once approved
- Requires new version for changes
- Provides stable baseline
Append-Only (Dynamic)
- Change log (job steps added in field)
- Active squares (sessions)
- Messages (broadcasts)
- Manager mode log (audit trail)
Section 00: Project Creator
Auto-captured when Manager Mode is entered:
- Manager identity (from login)
- Selfie photo (audit trail)
- Timestamp
- Device ID
Best Practice: Ensure the person creating the Mother JSA has visited the site. Remote creation leads to generic content.
Section 01: Project Identity
- Client Name - Who you're working for, appears in all reporting
- Site Name - Physical location, be specific (facility + unit if relevant)
- Project Name - Descriptive work title, will be selected from dropdown by crews
- Work Type - General Safety, Electrical Work, Welding & Hot Work, or Industrial Cleaning (determines which hazard/control templates appear first)
- Dates - Start/end dates (optional but recommended)
Section 02: Emergency Information
- Emergency Phone (Required) - Site emergency number, must be answered 24/7
- Primary Muster Point - Be specific: "Gate 4 parking lot" not "front gate"
- Secondary Muster Point - Backup if primary is compromised, different direction from primary
- Medical Station - Location of nearest medical aid
Best Practice: Walk the emergency routes yourself. Verify the information is current.
Section 03: Known Site Hazards
This is the most important section. These hazards appear in EVERY briefing.
Quantity: 5-7 hazards maximum
- Too few = missed hazards
- Too many = diluted attention
Specificity: Be specific to THIS site
- Bad: "Electrical hazards"
- Good: "480V exposed bus in MCC-4, lockout required"
Categories to Consider
- Energized equipment locations
- Chemical exposure areas
- Confined spaces
- Overhead crane zones
- Traffic patterns
- Environmental hazards (H2S, noise, temperature)
Best Practice: Have someone who works the site daily review your hazard list. They know what you missed.
Section 04: Site Safety Rules
Mandatory PPE
List ALL required PPE for site entry:
- Hard hat
- Safety glasses
- Steel-toe boots
- FR clothing
- Hearing protection
Zero Tolerance Rules
Rules that result in immediate removal:
- No drugs/alcohol
- No phones in operating areas
- No bypassing safety devices
Site-Specific Rules
- Sign-in requirements
- Escort requirements
- Parking locations
- Smoking areas
Access Restrictions
Areas that require special authorization:
- Control rooms
- Permit-only areas
- Restricted zones
Best Practice: Get the client's safety orientation materials. Ensure your rules align with theirs.
Section 05: Site Communication
- Emergency Radio Channel - Channel monitored 24/7, verified working
- Control Room Contact - Name if possible, phone number, when to call
- Security Contact - For site access issues and non-emergency situations
- Permit Office Contact - Who issues permits, location and hours
Best Practice: Test all contact numbers before approving the Mother JSA.
Section 06: Environmental Notes (Optional)
- Weather Sensitivities - Wind speed limits for crane work, temperature thresholds, lightning response
- Shift Patterns - Day/night shift hours, shift change procedures
- High Activity Windows - Peak traffic times, shift change hazards, delivery schedules
Best Practice: This section is optional but valuable. Include anything that affects scheduling decisions.
Approval Process
- Complete all required sections
- Review for accuracy and completeness
- Click "Approve Project"
- Confirmation photo captured
- Mother JSA becomes active
- Appears in crew project dropdown
After Approval
- Sections 00-06 are locked
- Job steps can still be added (append-only)
- Version history tracks all changes