# The OSHA Focus Four Hazards in Construction, Explained > The OSHA Focus Four are falls, struck-by, caught-in or between, and electrocution, the leading causes of construction worker deaths. How each happens and how to prevent it. URL: https://oshawithzahid.com/guides/focus-four-hazards.html Author: Zahid Presswala, OSHA Authorized Outreach Trainer Updated: 2026-10-25 The OSHA Focus Four hazards are **falls, struck-by, caught-in or between, and electrocution**. Together they cause the majority of construction worker deaths in the United States, with falls the leading cause. They're sometimes called the "Fatal Four," and they make up a required part of every OSHA 10 and 30-Hour Construction course. ## Key takeaways - Falls are the leading cause of death in construction. - Struck-by hazards include vehicles, falling objects, and flying debris. - Caught-in or between includes trench collapses and getting pulled into equipment. - Electrocution risks include overhead lines, damaged cords, and missing GFCIs. - Most Focus Four deaths are preventable with planning, the right equipment, and training. ## Why OSHA focuses on these four Year after year, falls, struck-by incidents, caught-in or between incidents, and electrocutions account for most construction worker deaths in the U.S. If a crew truly understands these four hazards, it eliminates most of the ways people get killed on a job site. That's why the Construction OSHA 10 spends a large share of its required hours here. ## 1. Falls Falls are the number one killer in construction. They happen from roofs, ladders, scaffolds, unprotected edges, and through holes and skylights. ### How to prevent falls - Use guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems at **6 feet** or more in construction. - Cover and label floor holes and skylights, and secure covers so they can't shift. - Set ladders on stable footing, extend them 3 feet above the landing, and maintain three points of contact. - Have scaffolds erected and inspected by a competent person. - Inspect harnesses and lanyards before every use. Go deeper in our [OSHA fall protection guide](https://oshawithzahid.com/guides/osha-fall-protection-requirements.html). ## 2. Struck-by Struck-by incidents happen when a worker is hit by a moving object: a vehicle or piece of equipment, a falling tool or material, or a flying object from a tool or a failed part. ### How to prevent struck-by injuries - Wear high-visibility clothing around vehicles and equipment. - Never stand behind backing equipment or between equipment and a fixed object; use spotters. - Use toe boards, debris nets, and tool lanyards when working overhead. - Stay out from under suspended loads. - Wear hard hats, and eye and face protection for tasks that throw debris. ## 3. Caught-in or between These incidents happen when a worker is squeezed, crushed, or compressed: in a trench collapse, between equipment and a wall, or by being pulled into unguarded machinery. ### How to prevent caught-in or between injuries - Protect trenches **5 feet** deep or more with sloping, shoring, or trench boxes (unless the excavation is in stable rock), and have a competent person inspect them daily. - Keep spoils and equipment at least 2 feet back from trench edges. - Keep guards on rotating parts and lock out equipment before servicing it. - Never position yourself between moving equipment and an immovable object. **Remember:** a cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as a small car. Trench collapses happen fast and leave almost no chance of escape. ## 4. Electrocution Electrocutions come from contact with overhead power lines, energized parts, damaged tools and cords, and improperly grounded equipment. ### How to prevent electrocution - Locate overhead and underground lines before work starts, and keep equipment a safe distance away (generally at least 10 feet for lines up to 50 kV, more for higher voltages, and 20 feet for most crane work). - Use ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) or an assured equipment grounding program. - Inspect cords and tools; take damaged ones out of service. - Lock out and tag out circuits before working on them. - Never use metal ladders near electrical work. ## Bringing the Focus Four onto your site The best training ties these hazards to your actual work. In my on-site classes, we walk through where the Focus Four show up on your crew's projects, whether that's a roof edge, a trench on a utility job, or a lift near power lines, so the lessons stick when people get back to work. [Book a Construction OSHA 10 or 30](https://oshawithzahid.com/book.html) for your team. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the difference between the Fatal Four and the Focus Four? They're the same four hazards: falls, struck-by, caught-in or between, and electrocution. OSHA now generally uses "Focus Four" to emphasize prevention. ### What is the leading cause of death in construction? Falls. They consistently cause more construction worker deaths than any other hazard, which is why fall protection is also OSHA's most frequently cited standard. ### Is the Focus Four covered in OSHA 10 General Industry? The Focus Four is a construction-specific module. General Industry courses cover related topics like walking-working surfaces, electrical safety, and machine guarding. ### At what height is fall protection required in construction? In construction, OSHA generally requires fall protection at 6 feet or more above a lower level. Scaffolds use a 10-foot threshold. See our fall protection guide for details. ## Sources & further reading - [OSHA Construction industry page](https://www.osha.gov/construction) - [OSHA Fall Protection](https://www.osha.gov/fall-protection) - [29 CFR 1926 Subpart P: Excavations](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.651)