April 2022 ***Focus Four Campaign Materials – Struck-By Hazards***

Construction’s “Fatal Four”

Out of 4764* worker fatalities in all industries in calendar year 2020, 1,008 or 21% 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 more than half (57%) of the construction worker deaths in 2020*, according to BLS reports.

·         Falls – 368 out of 1,008 total deaths in construction in CY 2020 (~37%)

·         Struck by Object – 83 (8%)

·         Electrocutions – 53 (5%)

·         Caught-in/between – 70 (~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 574 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.