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The Focus Four Overview
Welcome back, let’s Build Smart & Build Safe! OSHA identifies four specific hazards that account for the vast majority of all construction-related fatalities. These are not merely suggestions for safety meetings; they represent the most common ways workers lose their lives on the job.
Many treat safety as a broad, vague concept, but a disciplined approach requires focusing on these four high-impact areas. By eliminating these hazards, a job site removes the primary drivers of industry mortality.
Defining the Focus Four
The "Focus Four" are the priorities for every OSHA inspection and must be the priorities for every morning huddle.
Hazard | Description |
Falls | The leading cause of death. Includes falls from roofs, scaffolds, and through floor openings. |
Struck-By | Injuries caused by being hit by moving vehicles, falling tools, or flying debris. |
Caught-In/Between | Trench cave-ins or being crushed by rotating machinery and heavy equipment. |
Electrocution | Contact with overhead power lines, damaged cords, or lack of ground-fault protection. |
Why the Focus Four Matters
The statistics are clear: nearly 60% of all construction fatalities are a direct result of these four categories.
Predictability: These incidents are not "accidents." They are the result of failed systems or bypassed protocols.
Preventability: Each hazard has a specific, engineered solution—whether it is a guardrail, a trench box, or a GFCI.
Site Stability: When a Focus Four incident occurs, the site is often shut down for an extended investigation, leading to massive delays and legal exposure.
Implementation: The Weekly Outlook
This week, we will break down one hazard per day to identify the specific controls required to keep this site operational.
Recognition: Can you see the hazard before work starts?
Avoidance: Is there a way to complete the task without exposure?
Protection: If exposure is necessary, what physical barrier or equipment is in place?
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-The Safety Man
