OSHA's Focus Four: The Deadliest Construction Hazards

Every construction site buzzes with activity, from cranes lifting steel beams to crews pouring concrete. While this work builds our communities, it also carries serious risks. To create safer job sites, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identified the four leading causes of fatalities in the construction industry. Known as the "Focus Four," these hazards are responsible for the majority of worker deaths and demand special attention.

Understanding these four dangers—Falls, Electrocutions, Struck-By incidents, and Caught-In/Between incidents—is the first step toward preventing them. This article will break down each of the Focus Four hazards, provide real-world examples, and outline practical strategies to keep workers safe. By focusing our efforts on these critical areas, we can significantly reduce injuries and save lives.

What are the OSHA Focus Four?

The Focus Four are the top causes of fatalities in the construction industry. OSHA places a strong emphasis on these hazards during training and inspections because they represent the most life-threatening risks workers face. By concentrating safety efforts on these four areas, companies can make the greatest impact on worker safety. Let's explore each one in detail.

1. Falls: The Leading Cause of Death

Falls consistently rank as the number one cause of fatalities in construction. These incidents can occur from heights, such as off scaffolding, roofs, or ladders, or on the same level due to slips and trips. A fall from even a relatively low height can result in serious injury or death.

Common Scenarios:

• A worker steps through an uncovered hole in a floor or roof.

• A roofer loses their footing on a steep or slippery surface without fall protection.

• An employee falls from an improperly erected scaffold or an unsecured ladder.

• A worker trips over debris or equipment left in a walkway.

Mitigation Strategies:

• Guardrails and Toeboards: Install guardrail systems around every elevated open-sided platform, floor, or runway. Toeboards prevent tools and materials from falling and hitting workers below.

• Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS): When guardrails are not feasible, workers must use a PFAS, which includes a harness, lanyard, and anchor point. Proper training on how to inspect, wear, and use this equipment is critical.

• Safety Nets: Use safety nets to catch fallen workers on large-scale projects where other fall protection methods are impractical.

• Covers: Securely cover all holes in floors, roofs, and other walking surfaces. These covers must be able to support at least twice the weight of any load that may be placed on them.

• Good Housekeeping: Keep work areas clean and free of clutter. Cords, tools, and materials should be stored properly to prevent trip hazards.

2. Electrocutions: The Silent Killer

Electrocution is the second-leading cause of death for construction workers. These incidents occur when a person comes into direct or indirect contact with an electrical energy source. The human body is an excellent conductor, and even a small amount of current can be fatal.

Common Scenarios:

• A ladder or scaffold makes contact with an overhead power line.

• A worker uses a tool with a frayed cord or damaged insulation.

• Improperly installed wiring or overloaded circuits create an electrical hazard.

• Contact with energized parts of equipment that are not properly grounded.

Mitigation Strategies:

• Maintain a Safe Distance: Always locate and identify overhead power lines. Keep yourself and your equipment at least 10 feet away from them.

• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO): Implement LOTO procedures when performing maintenance or repairs on electrical equipment. This ensures the machinery is de-energized and cannot be accidentally turned on.

• Use Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs): GFCIs are fast-acting devices that shut off power in the event of a ground fault, preventing a serious shock. They should be used on all 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacle outlets.

• Inspect Tools and Cords: Before each use, inspect all power tools, extension cords, and electrical fittings for damage. Remove any faulty equipment from service immediately.

• Avoid Wet Conditions: Never operate electrical equipment in wet or damp locations without proper protection.

3. Struck-By Incidents: A Constant Threat

A struck-by incident is when a person is forcibly hit by an object. The impact alone can cause serious injury or death. These hazards are categorized by the type of object involved: flying, falling, swinging, or rolling.

Common Scenarios:

• Falling Objects: A tool or piece of building material is dropped from a higher level and hits a worker below.

• Flying Objects: A grinder sends a piece of metal flying, or a nail gun discharges improperly.

• Swinging Objects: A worker is hit by a crane's swinging load or a piece of machinery.

• Rolling Objects: A vehicle or piece of heavy equipment backs into a worker, or an unsecured pipe rolls off a stack.

Mitigation Strategies:

• Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Always wear a hard hat on a construction site. Safety glasses and face shields are also essential when performing tasks that create flying debris.

• Secure Tools and Materials: Use toeboards, debris nets, or canopies to prevent objects from falling from overhead work areas. Secure tools and materials when working at heights.

• Establish Danger Zones: Clearly mark and barricade areas where overhead work is being performed or where heavy equipment is operating.

• Vehicle and Equipment Safety: Use spotters for vehicles and heavy equipment, especially when they are backing up. Ensure all vehicles have functioning backup alarms.

• Proper Rigging: Inspect all rigging equipment before use and never walk or work under a suspended load.

  
  

4. Caught-In or Caught-Between Incidents

Caught-in or caught-between hazards occur when a person is squeezed, crushed, pinched, or compressed between two or more objects, or between parts of a single object. These are some of the most gruesome and deadly incidents on a job site.

Common Scenarios:

• A worker is caught in the moving parts of unguarded machinery.

• A trench or excavation collapses, trapping a worker inside.

• An employee is pinned between a piece of heavy equipment and a stationary object, like a wall.

• A worker is crushed between a rolling pipe and another object.

Mitigation Strategies:

• Machine Guarding: Ensure all moving parts of machinery, such as belts, gears, and pulleys, are properly guarded.

• Trench Safety: Never enter an unprotected trench that is 5 feet or deeper. Use shoring, sloping, or trench boxes to prevent collapses. Have a competent person inspect the trench daily.

• Equipment Awareness: Stay out of the swing radius of cranes and other rotating equipment. Maintain a safe distance from all moving vehicles.

• De-energize Equipment: Use LOTO procedures to de-energize equipment before performing service or maintenance to prevent accidental startup.

The Power of Training and Awareness

The common thread in preventing Focus Four incidents is proactive training and constant awareness. Every worker on a site, from the newest apprentice to the most experienced supervisor, must be trained to recognize these hazards and understand the procedures to mitigate them.

OSHA's Outreach Training Program (specifically the 10-hour and 30-hour courses) is designed to build this foundation of knowledge. This training empowers workers to identify unsafe conditions and gives them the confidence to speak up. Daily safety meetings, or "toolbox talks," are also excellent opportunities to reinforce these principles and discuss the specific hazards present on that day's work.

By making the Focus Four a priority, companies create a culture where safety is not just a rulebook but a shared value. This commitment protects workers, reduces costs associated with accidents, and ensures that projects are completed safely and successfully.

About Must Be Safety

Must Be Safety, LLC is your trusted partner in workplace safety, offering OSHA-authorized training, expert safety consulting, and comprehensive risk management solutions across the U.S. Their team provides on-site and online courses—including OSHA 10- and 30-Hour Construction Outreach programs—along with hands-on equipment training, safety audits, and custom safety program development tailored to your business needs.

Dedicated to building a strong safety culture, Must Be Safety delivers engaging and practical education in both English and Spanish, ensuring every team member receives effective training. As a minority- and disabled-veteran–owned company, Must Be Safety is committed to making safety accessible, affordable, and impactful for every workplace.

Learn more and explore their services at https://www.mustbesafety.com/