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OSHA Focus Four Hazard Tool Box Talks

by | Apr 3, 2018 | Industry News and Articles

The Focus Four Hazards have accounted for the vast majority of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry.

OSHA Focus Four Campaign Graphic

In an effort to prevent future injuries and fatalities, OSHA, our state plans, consultation projects, and construction industry partners have initiated a “Focus Four Hazards” campaign from March through June in Region Three’s jurisdiction.  The goal of this campaign is to raise awareness in the recognition, evaluation, and control of these hazards through the delivery of toolbox talks for employers to provide to their workers. These toolbox talks will be available during the campaign for employers to use at their own discretion.

Construction’s “Fatal Four”

Out of 5190* worker fatalities in private industry in calendar year 2016, 991 or 19% were in construction―that is, one in five worker deaths last year 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 out of 991 total deaths in construction in CY 2016 (39%)
  • Struck by Object – 93 (9%)
  • 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.

We ask that you assist us in promoting this campaign with your construction contacts and encourage your leadership to participate in these efforts to prevent future injuries and fatalities. To receive these toolbox talks, you can contact our Area Offices, Consultation Projects, or send us an email request at [email protected]. 

We appreciate your assistance and support with this campaign.  We encourage you to provide feedback which will assist us in promoting future efforts and evaluating our impact in the construction industry. All voluntary feedback may be sent to OSHA’s designated Focus 4 campaign account at [email protected].  We thank you for your part in bringing awareness to these preventable incidents.

Did You Know (DYK)

82 construction workers died of electrocution in 2016, comprising 61% of all work-related electrocution deaths in the nation.  In addition, approximately 32% of electrocution fatalities occurred among electrical contractors, more than any other subsector in construction.

Source: CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training

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