What Are the Focus Four Hazards?
The Focus Four (or Fatal Four) hazards are the four types of accidents that cause the most deaths in construction. Together, they account for more than half of all construction worker deaths each year.
1. Falls
The Danger
Falls are the leading cause of death in construction. They can happen when working from heights such as:
- Roofs
- Ladders
- Scaffolds
- Edges and openings
- Steel structures
Protection Measures
- Use guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems when working at heights of 6 feet or more
- Ensure ladders are secure and extend 3 feet above the landing
- Cover or guard floor openings
- Use proper scaffolding with complete decking and guardrails
- Wear appropriate footwear with good traction
2. Struck-By Hazards
The Danger
These occur when a worker is hit by a moving object such as:
- Vehicles and heavy equipment
- Falling objects
- Flying materials or tools
- Swinging loads from cranes
Protection Measures
- Wear high-visibility clothing near vehicles or equipment
- Never position yourself between fixed and moving objects
- Secure all tools and materials that could fall
- Use toe boards, screens, or guardrails to prevent falling objects
- Wear hard hats in areas where falling objects are possible
3. Caught-In or Caught-Between Hazards
The Danger
These happen when a worker is:
- Caught in or compressed by equipment
- Caught between moving and stationary objects
- Caught in collapsing structures like trenches
- Caught in moving machinery parts
Protection Measures
- Never enter an unprotected trench deeper than 5 feet
- Keep clear of rotating equipment and pinch points
- Use proper lockout/tagout procedures
- Never remove machine guards
- Stay alert to moving equipment and vehicles
4. Electrocutions
The Danger
Electrocution occurs through:
- Contact with overhead or buried power lines
- Contact with energized sources like tools or outlets
- Improper use of extension cords
- Working with damaged electrical equipment
Protection Measures
- Locate and identify utilities before starting work
- Maintain a safe distance from power lines (at least 10 feet)
- Use ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs)
- Inspect all electrical tools before use
- Follow lockout/tagout procedures
- Use insulated tools when working with electricity