The leading causes of worker deaths on construction sites were falls, followed by struck by object, electrocution and caught-in/between. Our eBook shows you how to avoid OSHA' 'Fatal Four' on the construction site.

1. OSHA’S
FATALFOUR
A
Construction
Data
Com
panyPublication

2. 2 | OSHA’s Fatal Four
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE FATAL FOUR .......................................................................................................... 3
FALL HAZARDS ........................................................................................................ 4 - 6
Guardrails and Safety Nets ......................................................................................... 5
Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Scaffoldings and Ladder Safety ................................... 6
STRUCK-BY HAZARDS ............................................................................................ 7 - 11
Struck-By Falling Objects ............................................................................................. 8
Struck-By Swinging Objects ......................................................................................... 9
Struck-By Rolling Objects ........................................................................................... 10
Be Aware of Your Surroundings ................................................................................. 11
ELECTROCUTION HAZARDS ................................................................................ 12 - 14
Proper Equipment Use and Commonly Cited OSHA Standards ............................. 13
Additional Electrical Hazards .................................................................................... 14
CAUGHT-IN/BETWEEN HAZARDS ........................................................................ 15 - 18
Power Tools and Machinery Accidents .................................................................... 16
Heavy Equipment Accidents .................................................................................... 17
Trenching Accidents .................................................................................................. 18
SAFETY FIRST .............................................................................................................. 19
GET MORE COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION LEADS..................................................... 20
FOLLOW CONSTRUCTION DATA / CREDITS................................................................. 21

3. 3 | OSHA’s Fatal Four
C
onstruction sites are one of the
most dangerous workplaces
in the country.According to
the Occupational Safety & Health
Administration (OSHA), “nearly 6.4 million
people work at approximately 252,000
construction sites on any given day.The
fatal injury rate for the construction industry
is higher than the national average in this
category for all industries.” In fact, 828 of
the 4,101 worker fatalities that occurred in
2013 were in construction.
OSHA has determined that there are four
main safety hazards that account for 57.7
percent of all fatalities at construction
sites. Dubbed the “Fatal Four” by OSHA,
they include falls, being struck by objects,
electrocutions and caught in or between
hazards.

4. 4 | OSHA’s Fatal Four
FALL HAZARDS
Injuries from falls are the most common
cause of construction site fatalities. Falls
accounted for 302 of the 828 total deaths
in construction in 2013, which is 36.5
percent of all construction deaths.
Some of the main causes of construction
site falls are unprotected edges
and openings, improper scaffolding
construction or use and improper ladder
use. Fall protection is required by OSHA
for working at a height of six feet or more
or anytime someone is working over
dangerous equipment and machinery. For
workers on scaffolds fall protection must be
provided if working 10 feet or more above
the lower level.
Fall protection and prevention can be
accomplished in a couple of different
ways.

5. 5 | OSHA’s Fatal Four
Guardrails are the only method approved
that actually prevents falls from occurring.
They are great for unprotected edges,
scaffolding work and openings such as
from uncovered skylights and elevator
shafts. Guardrails must be between 39
and 45 inches in height from the surface.
The top rail must be able to withstand a
minimum of 200 pounds of force and the
middle rail must withstand 150 pounds of
force.
The other two acceptable means of fall
protection are safety nets and personal
fall arrest systems. Safety nets should be
placed as close as reasonable to the work
area and cannot exceed being placed
more than 30 feet below the work area.
Border ropes on the safety net must have
a minimum strength of 5,000 pounds and
the net must be able to absorb a drop test
using a 400-pound bag of sand.The nets
must extend a minimum of eight feet out
horizontally from the work surface.
OSHA provides a formula on the horizontal
distance a safety net must extend based
on the vertical distance from the working
level to the horizontal plane of the safety
net.

6. 6 | OSHA’s Fatal Four
A
personal fall arrest system consists
of three main components:
anchorage, connecting device
and a full-body harness.The anchorage
and the D-rings or snap hooks and vertical
lifelines or lanyards that make up the
connecting device must each be able
to support a minimum of 5,000 pounds.
Personal fall arrest systems should be
inspected before each use to ensure
everything is working properly and is free of
damage.Also, the lanyard or lifeline should
be short enough to avoid the worker from
making contact with the level below in the
event of a fall. In order to achieve this you
need to take into account the length of
the lanyard, length of dynamic elongation
due to elastic stretch and the height of the
worker.
Improper scaffolding and ladder use
are the other main contributors to falls
at construction sites. Scaffolds must be
designed by qualified personnel and a
competent person is required to oversee
scaffold construction. Supported scaffolds
must be able to support its own weight
and four times the intended load including
the weight of all workers, materials and
tools being placed on it.The ropes for
suspended scaffolds must each be able
to support the weight of the scaffold and
six times the intended load.The platforms
must be properly planked and have a
minimum width of at least 18 inches.
As mentioned earlier, when working on
scaffolds 10 feet or higher OSHA requires
fall protection be provided for workers. Safe
access to the scaffold must be provided
along with proper training on scaffold use.
Improper ladder use is another common
cause of falls at construction sites. Some
of the reasons for ladder falls include
incorrect ladder choice, failure to properly
secure the ladder and attempting to carry
tools and materials by hand while climbing.
When choosing a ladder you should make
sure that it’s in good condition and working
properly.You also need to make sure that
the ladder is long enough to be placed at
a stable angle and be able to extend three
feet above the work surface.Tie the ladder
to a secure point at the top and bottom to
avoid it from sliding or falling.You should
always maintain three points of contact
when ascending or descending a ladder.
Tools and materials should be carried up
using a tool belt or a rope to pull things up
once you’ve stopped climbing.

7. 7 | OSHA’s Fatal Four
STRUCK-BY
HAZARDS
Struck-by injuries occur when a worker
comes into forcible contact with a flying,
falling, swinging or rolling object. Struck-by
injuries are the second highest cause of
fatalities among construction workers.
According to OSHA, struck-by injuries
accounted for 84 deaths in 2013 or 10.1
percent of all construction related fatalities.
This is due to the numerous hazards that
can create struck-by injuries.There are four
common struck-by hazards in construction:
struck-by flying objects, struck-by falling
objects, struck-by swinging objects and
struck-by rolling objects.

8. 8 | OSHA’s Fatal Four
STRUCK-BY FALLING OBJECT
Struck-by falling object injuries can encompass everything from
tools and materials being knocked off unprotected edges to a
suspended load coming loose.Workers should also avoid working
in areas where work is being performed overhead where they
could be struck by falling debris or tools.
Tools and materials should be secured when performing
overhead work using toeboards or screens to prevent objects
falling, or debris nets and catch platforms to deflect falling
objects.

9. 9 | OSHA’s Fatal Four
STRUCK-BY SWINGING
OBJECT
Injuries caused by swinging objects
usually occur when materials are being
mechanically lifted and something causes
the load to sway, or when a worker is
inside the swing radius of a piece of heavy
equipment such as a crane.Workers
should never position themselves under a
suspended load.Workers should stay well
outside the swing radius and verify that the
heavy equipment operator can see them.

10. 10 | OSHA’s Fatal Four
STRUCK-BY ROLLING OBJECT
Injuries caused by rolling objects usually
involve a worker being struck by a vehicle
or heavy equipment while it’s in motion,
but can also include any object that
rolls, moves or slides on the same level
as a worker.Workers should steer clear of
vehicles and heavy equipment in use.
Many times equipment operators have
limited or no visibility when operating in
reverse so it is important that workers are
aware of areas where heavy equipment
is being operated to avoid those areas. It
is also important that operators of heavy
equipment are properly trained. Struck-
by accidents involving heavy equipment
often occur due to operators not being
properly trained on how to safely operate
the machinery.

11. 11 | OSHA’s Fatal Four
BE AWARE OFYOUR
SURROUNDINGS
Adequate awareness of your surroundings
and proper use of personal protective
equipment (PPE) can go a long way in
avoiding injuries at the construction site.
It is important for employers to alert all
workers of areas where there is greater
potential for struck-by accidents to occur
and to limit employee access to those
areas. OSHA requires that employers
provide employees with proper PPE.This
varies by the type of work being done
and the hazards workers are exposed
to but include items such as hard hats,
safety glasses and face shields and ear
protection.
All PPE used at the construction site
whether it’s employee provided steel-toed
boots to employer provided hard hats, they
should all meet the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. PPE
should be inspected prior to each use to
ensure that it’s in proper working condition
and free from any defects or damage.

12. 12 | OSHA’s Fatal Four
ELECTROCUTION
HAZARDS
Electrocutions accounted for 71 deaths in construction
related accidents in 2013 which is the most current data
available.According to OSHA this accounted for 8.6
percent of all construction related fatalities that year, the
third most in the industry.
Electrocution is death by electric shock caused
by exposure to lethal amounts of electrical energy.
Electrocution can occur from contact with power lines,
contact with energized sources such as faulty equipment
or exposed wires and improper extension cord usage.
Both overhead and underground power lines carry a high
voltage.The best way to avoid electrocution from power
lines is to simply stay away from them. By maintaining a
safe distance and being aware of power line locations
you can avoid making contact with heavy equipment,
ladders, lifts, etc. If you do have to operate equipment
such as cranes near power lines contact the utility
company to de-energize and ground the lines.
Other steps you can take to avoid electrocution around
power lines include using nonconductive tools and
equipment, never storing material underneath power lines
and cordoning off the area around power lines to the
correct distance per OSHA guidelines.

13. 13 | OSHA’s Fatal Four
O
SHA has also established rules and
regulations regarding ground-fault
protection. Receptacle outlets that
are not part of the permanent wiring of the
structure must be protected with ground-
fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).A GFCI
monitors the electrical current flow from hot
to neutral and if it detects an imbalance
it will trip the circuit in less than a second
and cuts off the electricity.
You should also establish an assured
equipment grounding conducting
program that covers all cords, temporary
receptacles, and equipment and
maintain detailed records off all tests and
inspections. Make sure all equipment and
extension cords are in good condition
by visually inspecting for cuts, frays or
exposed bare wires. Ensure that ground
prongs haven’t been removed or become
defective. Make sure that the equipment
grounding conductor is electrically
continuous by conducting a continuity test.
Some of the most commonly cited
standards by OSHA involving electrical
hazards include:
• Control of hazardous energy
(lockout/tagout), general industry
(29 CFR 1910.147)
• Electrical, wiring methods,
components and equipment,
general industry (29 CFR 1910.305)
• Electrical systems design, general
requirements, general industry (29
CFR 1910.303)
Remember, death can occur from
exposure to as little as 50 – 100
milliamperes of current. Most 120 Volt
circuits carry 15 to 20 amperes of current.
15 amperes of current is 300 times what is
necessary to cause death.
A great way to avoid accidental
electrocution is to implement lockout/
tagout procedures when equipment and
circuits aren’t being used.A qualified
person should ensure that all equipment
and circuits are de-energized before a lock
and/or tag is applied. Once you are ready
to remove locks and tags and re-energize
equipment and circuits, a qualified person
should be on hand to ensure that it is safe
to do so.

14. 14 | OSHA’s Fatal Four
ADDITIONAL ELECTRICAL
HAZARDS
There are a number of other electrical
hazards that can cause serious injury or
death in addition to electrocutions.These
include:
• Burns
• Shock
• Arc flash or blast
• Fire
• Explosions
Some of the common causes for these
other electricity related injuries include:
• Damaged equipment
• Faulty wiring
• Improper cord use
• No GCFIs
• Wet conditions
• Reversed polarity
• Lack of an assured grounding
conductor program.

15. 15 | OSHA’s Fatal Four
CAUGHT-IN / BETWEEN
HAZARDS
In 2013, caught-in/-between hazards accounted for 21 fatalities,
or 2.5 percent, of the 828 construction related deaths.
Caught-in or caught-between accidents occur when
someone is caught, crushed, squeezed,
compressed or pinched between two or
more objects. Examples include getting your hand caught in the
moving parts of an unguarded piece of machinery, being buried
by trench cave-ins and getting pinned between a wall and piece
of heavy equipment.
These accidents are similar to struck-by accidents with the main
difference being that caught-in/between accidents are a result of
crushing injuries and not the initial impact as they are with struck-
by accidents.

16. 16 | OSHA’s Fatal Four
POWER TOOLS &
MACHINERY ACCIDENTS
To avoid being caught in machinery and
power tools you should never operate
any piece of equipment where the
safety guards are missing or have been
intentionally removed. Never wear loose
clothing or anything that could hang down
and get caught in moving parts and pull
you in.
Make sure all equipment is properly de-
energized when not in use to avoid it from
accidentally being started.This is especially
important when you are doing any kind
of work on the equipment such as repairs,
changing accessories or performing
routine maintenance.

17. 17 | OSHA’s Fatal Four
HEAVY EQUIPMENT
ACCIDENTS
Heavy equipment on a construction site is
a common occurrence and can lead to a
false sense of security.Workers should never
place themselves in between a moving
vehicle and an immovable object such
as a wall.As mentioned before, operators
don’t always have a clear line of sight all
around them. If you are operating a piece
of heavy equipment, you should do so
correctly and never overload or overwork a
piece of equipment as this can cause it to
tip over.
It is important that if you are operating
heavy equipment that you properly wear
any seatbelts or safety restraints that it is
equipped with. In the event that a piece of
equipment does tip over, the cabs of those
machines are designed and reinforced
to protect the worker.That can’t happen
if the worker is thrown or jumps from the
equipment as it tips over.

18. 18 | OSHA’s Fatal Four
TRENCHING ACCIDENTS
Improperly protected trenches and
excavations are another major cause
of caught-in or between accidents.Any
trench that is deeper than 5 feet needs
to have protective systems in place. If the
trench or excavation is over 20 feet deep
a professional engineers is required to
design the protective system.Trenches
should be protected by being properly
sloped or benched to avoid collapse.
Shoring trenches to support the sides of
the excavation can also prevent collapse.
Utilizing trench boxes and shields can
protect workers from being buried or
crushed by cave-ins. Heavy equipment use
near an excavation should be avoided
when workers are inside the trench to avoid
causing cave-ins or having the equipment
fall into the excavation area. OSHA requires
that trenching and excavation work be
inspected by a competent person.A
competent person must be trained on the
requirements of the OSHA standard, use of
protective systems and soil classifications.
They are responsible for identifying and
eliminating any hazards before any worker
enters the area and while work is ongoing.
Any trench that is deeper than 5 feet
needs to have protective systems in place.

19. 19 | OSHA’s Fatal Four
SAFETY FIRST
Jobsite safety should constantly be on the mind of each
and every worker each and every day.Accidents are
going to happen but by implementing and enforcing
proper safety protocols the number of occurrences can
be greatly reduced and the damages caused can be
drastically mitigated.
Site supervisors should assess the jobsite before any work
begins and identify all potential hazards and ensure
that measures are in place to protect all workers from
accidents.Workers should be notified of all potential
hazards and warning signs should be posted around the
construction site to notify workers of safety precautions
they should be taking. Ongoing safety training should
be provided to all employees regardless of their years of
experience. Making the jobsite as safe as possible should
be the top priority on any construction job.
While you can’t prevent every accident from occurring,
by educating workers with proper safety training,
providing personal protective equipment and strictly and
adamantly adhering to OSHA regulations and guidelines
for the construction industry you can greatly reduce the
number and severity of occurrences.

20. 20 | OSHA’s Fatal Four
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21. 21 | OSHA’s Fatal Four
OSHA’S FATAL FOUR
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