The Occupational Safety and Health Administration identified four specific types of work hazards most common in the construction industry. It labeled these the fatal four.
According to OSHA, the fatal four is responsible for the majority of injuries and deaths on construction work sites. The four types of accidents include falls, struck by, caught in or between and electrocution.
Falls
Falls can occur in many ways. You could fall from something or on something. They include all sorts of accidents, such as slips and trips. Paying attention while walking, using safety equipment and identifying hazards can help you to avoid falls.
Struck by
Struck by accidents occur when something hits you. It could be something falling from overhead or slamming into you from the side or front. Struck by accidents are often due to someone else not being careful or by you entering areas where you should not. You can often avoid serious injury by wearing a hard hat and paying attention to site signage.
Caught in or between
Caught in or between accidents can also be crushing injuries. These often happen when working with equipment, but may also occur if you are working in a trench. The use of safety equipment and following all safety protocols can help you avoid these accidents.
Electrocutions
Electrocutions are especially deadly. If you do not have the authorization to work with electricity, then you should never do so. It is essential to pay attention to all warning signs, and if you are unsure whether or not a line is live, do not touch it. You should also pay attention to all electric lines and never allow ladders to come into contact with them.
The fatal four can be deadly or cause serious injury. Avoiding these hazards is often possible if you are attentive to all safety requirements and use the proper safety equipment.