Construction work is notoriously dangerous. Professionals are vulnerable to a variety of different types of injuries and incidents while on the clock. Their jobs require that they work in all types of weather and in close proximity with dangerous equipment and possibly hazardous materials.
Not only do construction workers face above-average risk of injury, but they also have an elevated risk of dying on the job. In response to that risk, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established guidelines to help promote safe construction sites and enhance worker training. The Focus Four should play a role in worker training and construction site safety measures.
What job hazards are the most common?
The Focus Four are the top four deadliest safety concerns at a construction site. Previously known as the Fatal Four, the Focus Four demand careful attention from those managing construction sites.
The Focus Four include:
- electrical exposure
- falls
- struck-by incidents
- caught-between or caught-in incidents
Falls can be dangerous even from relatively minor elevations, and electrocution can cause permanent damage even when it is not deadly. Struck-by incidents might involve falling tools, while caught-between incidents could involve a cave-in that traps workers in a trench.
With appropriate safety measures, consistent adherence to regulations and proper equipment, construction companies can all but eliminate the risk of workers dying due to incidents involving the Focus Four. That being said, many other issues can lead to injury or worse on a construction site.
Injured construction professionals and families that have lost a loved one may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Reviewing the circumstances of a construction injury or fatality with a skilled legal team could help people understand their rights.