Task risk analysis (TRA) for VCA, with example
A task risk analysis (TRA) is a written analysis of one specific job. You break the task down into steps, name the hazards for each step, and record the measures you will take. VCA requires a TRA for work in a specific situation, with risks that are not in your general RI&E (risk inventory and evaluation), or where you depart from the standard way of working. The requirement is in question 2.2 of the VCA checklist 2026/6.1 .
The TRA is a must-question for all three VCA levels: VCA*, VCA** and VCA Petrochemie. It sits between the general RI&E and the short check just before the work, the LMRA (last-minute risk analysis). Below you can read what the SSVV (Stichting Samenwerken Voor Veiligheid, the foundation that manages VCA) requires precisely, and see a completed TRA that you can use as a model.
RI&E, TRA and LMRA: where does the TRA fit?
VCA works with three layers of risk analysis. Each layer goes one step deeper and gets closer to the work itself.
| RI&E (question 2.1) | TRA (question 2.2) | LMRA (question 2.3) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| About | All common activities of the company | One task in a specific situation | The workplace at this moment |
| When | In advance, reviewed at least every three years | Before the job, during work preparation | Just before starting and when there are changes |
| Who | The company, with the VGM officer | A relevant line manager | Each employee themselves |
| Recorded | In writing | In writing | According to your own procedure |
An example. In the RI&E of an installation company, “working on ladders” is listed as a common risk with standard measures. If a fitter has to replace a pump in a basement where a vacuum cleaning truck is also working, you make a TRA. On the day itself, the fitter carries out an LMRA and sees that the basement is wet.
What does VCA 2026/6.1 require of a TRA?
Question 2.2 has an objective, minimum requirements and required documents. The auditor assesses all three.
| VCA requirement | What does it mean? |
|---|---|
| Fixed method | You always work in the same way: describe the tasks, identify the risks, determine the measures |
| Under the responsibility of a line manager involved in the work | A site manager or foreman, not an adviser at a distance |
| That line manager has sufficient knowledge, skill and experience of safety | In practice often someone with VOL-VCA and experience of this type of work |
| That line manager communicates with all operational employees at the workplace | They discuss the TRA with the crew |
| Risks are controlled with effective measures | Measures that really reduce the risk, not just “being careful” |
| Documents: method and current TRAs | At least one TRA that can be shown to be no more than one year old |
These requirements have remained substantively the same in VCA 2026/6.1 as in VCA 2017/6.0. For what has changed, see the page VCA 2026/6.1: what changes?
A TRA is not separate from the rest of VCA. From your TRAs you derive the training requirements for high-risk tasks (question 3.4). After an incident, you adjust the TRA where necessary (question 11.2). And in a VGM plan you refer to the TRAs for that project.
Example TRA: replacing a pump seal at 6 metres height
Below is a fictitious, completed TRA from a maintenance company. The job: replacing the seal of a pump on a platform 6 metres high, in a production hall where production continues. The company scores risks with a simple risk matrix: likelihood (K) and severity (E) on a scale of 1 to 3, with risk = K × E.
TRA header
| Field | Entry |
|---|---|
| TRA number | TRA-2026-031 |
| Task | Replacing pump seal P-12, platform at 6 m, hall 2 |
| Prepared by | Site manager M. Jansen (VOL-VCA), with fitters A. and B. |
| Date and valid for | 14 October 2026, this job |
| Permits | Client work permit, LOTO form (lockout-tagout) |
Analysis per task step
| Step | Hazard | K | E | Risk | Measure | Who |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Release the pump | Unexpected start-up, pressure in the pipe | 2 | 3 | 6 | Lockout-tagout by the operator, depressurise, own lock per fitter | Operator and fitter |
| 2. Take tools up to the platform | Falling tools onto the walkway | 2 | 3 | 6 | Hoist with bag on a line, cordon off the walkway underneath | Fitter A |
| 3. Remove the seal | Residual liquid (mildly corrosive) in the eyes | 2 | 2 | 4 | Drip tray, safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves | Fitters A and B |
| 4. Work at the edge of the platform | Falling from height during suspended work | 1 | 3 | 3 | Work inside the guardrail, no steps, site manager checks | Fitter B |
| 5. Fit the new seal | Crushing of hands | 2 | 1 | 2 | Correct puller, do not work under the shaft | Fitter A |
| 6. Pump back in operation | Leak on start-up | 1 | 2 | 2 | Leak test by the operator, fitters at a distance | Operator |
Closing section
| Field | Entry |
|---|---|
| Discussed with | Fitters A and B, operator hall 2, on 14 October 2026 at 07:15 |
| Signatures | Site manager and both fitters |
| Special points | If there is a deviation (different pump, leak, wet floor), stop first and adjust the TRA |
Note steps 1 and 2. These score highest, so that is where the strongest measures are: a technical lock and a cordoned-off area. Personal protective equipment is listed at step 3 as a supplement, not as the first solution.
How do you make a TRA in five steps?
- Choose the task. Take work that departs from your standard or has extra hazards.
- Break the task into steps. Five to ten steps, in the order in which the work takes place.
- Name the hazards for each step. Think of falls, crushing, electricity, substances, traffic and other work nearby.
- Assess and choose measures. Start at the source: can you remove the hazard? Then shield it, then instruct, then use PPE.
- Discuss and sign. Go through the TRA with the crew before the start and have everyone sign.
Make the TRA together with the people who carry out the work. They know where things go wrong in practice. A TRA written only in the office lacks that knowledge.
What does the VCA auditor check in the TRA?
During the VCA audit, the auditor looks at the office and at the workplace. These are the questions you can expect:
- Which method do you use, and is it described?
- Show a recent TRA. Is there at least one that is less than a year old?
- Who prepared this TRA, and was that person involved in the work?
- Was the TRA discussed with the employees? Is there evidence of this, such as signatures?
- Does the fitter at the workplace know the measures from the TRA?
The last point is where things often go wrong. A neat TRA in a folder counts for little if the crew does not know it.
Frequently asked questions about the TRA under VCA
Is a TRA mandatory for VCA*?
Yes. Question 2.2 is a must-question for VCA*, VCA** and VCA Petrochemie, both in VCA 2017/6.0 and in VCA 2026/6.1. Without a working TRA approach, you will not receive a certificate.
How often must you update a TRA?
VCA does not set a fixed period for each TRA. You must have current TRAs, at least one of which is no more than a year old. Update a TRA when the situation changes or after an incident, as question 11.2 requires.
What is the difference between a TRA and an LMRA?
You make the TRA in advance and in writing for a specific task. You carry out the LMRA on the spot, just before starting, to check whether the situation still matches the preparation.
Can you reuse a TRA?
Yes, for the same task in the same situation. If you work at a different location or under different conditions, review it again. A TRA with an old date and a different project location will be noticed by the auditor straight away.
More information
- LMRA under VCA - The final check just before the work
- VGM plan for contractors - Where your TRAs come back
- VCA workplace inspection - Checking that measures work
- Assessing hazards and risks (ISO 45001) - The broader approach
- VCA checklist 2026/6.1 (SSVV) - The official requirement