What is OSHA's Fatal Four? - Online Safety Trainer

Working in construction or any other industrial field can be dangerous, but it doesn’t have to be deadly. Unfortunately, too many lives are lost each year due to preventable accidents. In this article, I’ll be discussing OSHA’s “Fatal Four.”

According to OSHA, the “Fatal Four” are the leading causes of fatalities in all industries. Out of the 4,779 worker fatalities in private industry reported in 2018, a total of 1,008 or 21.1% occurred within the construction sector. Of these fatalities: 338 (33.5%) were as a result of falls; 112 (11.1%) due to being struck by an object; 86 (8.5%) electrocutions and 55 (5.5%) caught-in/between incidents recorded at the time of death respectivelyl

Falls are the most serious risk. In 2020, an alarming 35% of all construction fatalities (1,008 total deaths) were caused by falls to a lower level – and the saddening part is that all these lives could have been saved. According to U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics data released in 2021, 351 workers lost their lives from such preventable falls this past year alone.

These statistics are alarming and highlight the need for increased safety measures and awareness to prevent these types of accidents in the workplace.

The first of the Fatal Four is falls. Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry, accounting for over a third of all fatalities. To prevent falls, it’s important to use proper fall protection equipment, such as harnesses and safety nets. It’s also important to train employees on proper ladder and scaffold use and to conduct regular inspections of fall protection equipment to ensure that it’s in good working condition. Proper use of fall protection equipment is essential for preventing falls. It’s important to ensure that employees are properly trained on how to use harnesses, lanyards, and other fall protection equipment. It’s also important to ensure that the equipment is properly maintained and that any defects or damage are identified and addressed in a timely manner. Additionally, it’s important to ensure that employees are properly trained on the use of ladders, scaffolding, and other elevated platforms in order to prevent falls from these sources. Regular inspections of fall protection equipment are also crucial for ensuring that the equipment is in good working condition. This includes checking for signs of wear, damage, or defects and ensuring that all equipment is properly stored and maintained. It’s important to conduct these inspections on a regular basis, such as daily or weekly, to ensure that the equipment is always ready for use. By taking these steps, companies can help prevent falls and save lives on the job site.

The second of the Fatal Four is struck-by hazards. This includes accidents such as being struck by a falling object or being hit by a vehicle on the job site. To prevent struck-by hazards, it’s important to use proper signage and barriers to mark off hazardous areas. It’s also important to use hard hats and other personal protective equipment and to conduct regular inspections of vehicles and equipment to ensure that they’re in good working condition. Proper signage and barriers play an important role in preventing struck-by hazards on the job site. This includes clearly marking off hazardous areas and warning employees of potential dangers. It’s also important to ensure that employees are aware of these hazards and know how to avoid them. Additionally, it’s important to use hard hats, high visibility vests and other personal protective equipment to protect employees from falling objects and other hazards. Regular inspections of vehicles and equipment is another important aspect of preventing struck-by hazards. This includes conducting regular safety inspections of vehicles and equipment to ensure that they’re in good working condition and that any issues are addressed in a timely manner. It’s also important to ensure that employees are properly trained on the operation and maintenance of equipment, so they know how to safely use and maintain the equipment. By taking these steps, companies can help prevent struck-by hazards and save lives on the job site.

The third of the Fatal Four is electrocution. Electrocution can occur when an employee comes into contact with live electrical wires or equipment. To prevent electrocution, it’s important to use proper electrical safety equipment, such as rubber gloves and safety glasses. It’s also important to train employees on proper electrical safety procedures and to conduct regular inspections of electrical equipment to ensure that it’s in good working condition. Proper use of electrical safety equipment is essential for preventing electrocutions. This includes using rubber gloves, safety glasses, and other equipment designed to protect employees from electrical hazards. It’s also important to ensure that employees are properly trained on how to use this equipment, as well as on the proper electrical safety procedures. Additionally, it’s important to ensure that the equipment is properly maintained and that any defects or damage are identified and addressed in a timely manner. Regular inspections of electrical equipment are also crucial for ensuring that the equipment is in good working condition. This includes checking for signs of wear, damage, or for signs of wear, damage, or defects, ensuring that all equipment is properly stored and maintained, and checking that all electrical wiring and equipment are installed and maintained in accordance with local codes and regulations. By conducting regular inspections, companies can ensure that any potential hazards are identified and addressed before they can cause an accident. Proper employee training is also crucial for preventing electrocutions. This includes providing employees with training on proper electrical safety procedures, as well as on the use and maintenance of electrical safety equipment. Employees should also be aware of the potential hazards associated with electrical equipment and know how to identify and avoid them. By providing proper training and ensuring that employees are aware of the hazards and know how to stay safe, companies can help prevent electrocutions and save lives on the job site.

The fourth of the Fatal Four is caught-in or caught-between hazards. This includes accidents such as being caught in or between heavy machinery or being caught in a trench collapse. To prevent caught-in or caught-between hazards, it’s important to use proper machine guards and to train employees on proper machine operation and maintenance. It’s also important to conduct regular inspections of heavy machinery and to ensure that trenches are properly shored and that employees are properly trained on trench safety procedures. Proper use of machine guards is essential for preventing caught-in or caught-between hazards. This includes installing guards on all moving parts of machinery and ensuring that the guards are properly maintained and in good working condition. It’s also important to ensure that employees are properly trained on how to use and maintain the guards, as well as on the proper operation of the machinery. By taking these steps, companies can help prevent caught-in or caught-between hazards and save lives on the job site. Regular inspections of heavy machinery and trenches are also crucial for preventing caught-in or caught-between hazards. This includes conducting regular safety inspections of heavy machinery to ensure that it’s in good working condition and that any issues are addressed in a timely manner. It’s also important to ensure that trenches are properly shored and that employees are properly trained on trench safety procedures. By conducting regular inspections and providing proper training, companies can help prevent caught-in or caught-between hazards and save lives on the job site. Proper employee training is also essential for preventing caught-in or caught-between hazards. This includes providing employees with training on proper machine operation and maintenance, as well as on the use and maintenance of machine guards. Employees should also be aware of the potential hazards associated with heavy machinery and trenches and know how to identify and avoid them. By providing proper training and ensuring that employees are aware of the hazards and know how to stay safe, companies can help prevent caught-in or caught-between hazards and save lives on the job site.

By understanding these hazards and taking steps to prevent them, we can help make our workplaces safer. It’s important to conduct regular safety training and inspections, to use proper personal protective equipment, and to make sure that employees are aware of the hazards and know how to stay safe on the job. Together, we can work to eliminate OSHA’s Fatal Four and save lives in the process.

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