The Focus Four Hazards have accounted for the vast majority of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry. In an effort to prevent future injuries and fatalities, OSHA, consultation projects, and construction industry partners have initiated a “Focus Four Hazards” campaign. The goal of this campaign is to raise awareness in the recognition, evaluation, and control of these hazards. Employers should be providing training on these subjects to their workers.
Construction's "Fatal Four"
Out of 5,190 worker fatalities in private industry in calendar year 2016, 991 or 19% were in construction―that is, one in five worker deaths were in construction. The leading causes of worker deaths on construction sites were falls, followed by struck-by, electrocution, and caught-in/between. These "Fatal Four" hazards were responsible for well over half (64%) of the construction worker deaths in 2016, according to BLS reports.
- Falls: 384 (39%)
- Struck by Object: 93 (9%) More than half (51%) of fatalities involving struck-by objects or equipment were caused by falling objects or equipment. The majority of struck-by vehicle deaths (60%) in construction occurred in work zones.
- Electrocutions: 82 (8%)
- Caught-in/between: 72 (7%) This category includes construction workers killed when caught-in or compressed by equipment or objects, and struck, caught, or crushed in collapsing structure, equipment, or material.
Eliminating these four hazards would save 631 lives each year!