Four types of accidents result in 79% of all construction fatalities.  In addition, 85% of all citations and 90% of dollars in OSHA construction fines come from these four hazards.

In 2006, there were 1226 construction fatalities.

Falls accounted for 34.9% of these fatalities.  Falls in construction has been the leading cause of death for many years.  Primary causes are falls from unprotected sides, edges and holes; improperly constructed waling/working surfaces; failure to properly use personal fall arrest equipment (lanyard, harness and anchorage), and slips and trips (poor housekeeping).

Electrical shock resulted in 10.1% construction deaths.  Electrocutions are caused by contact with overhead power lines or live circuits and improper use of power tools or power cords that are poorly maintained. 

9.7% of construction fatalities are being struck by an object.  Approximately 75% of struck-by fatalities involve heavy equipment.  One in four “struck-by-vehicle” deaths involve construction workers, more than any other occupation.

The 7.7% of the caught-in fatalities are caused by being crushed by collapsing materials, such as in a trench or excavation, being caught in, or between, machinery or equipment, or equipment rollover.

The “other” category includes assaults and violent acts, fires, heat stress, exposure to harmful substances, etc. It is very large, partly because OSHA includes vehicle accidents in this category rather than in “struck-by.”

These hazards are called the “focused” four and OSHA focusing on these when inspection.  A better name for these accidents are the fatal four.