MA’ADEN PROJECTS – RAS AL KHAIR
Weekly Mass Toolbox Meeting
Fatal Four Hazards (Construction)
The “Fatal Four” Hazards in the Construction Industry
There is inherent risk construction workers face every day at work. Construction is a
dangerous field full of hazards. Despite the wide-ranging hazards construction workers face,
there are four types of hazards that are responsible for the majority of fatalities in the
construction industry. These four types of hazards are
Falls,
Electrocution.
Struck-by, and
Caught-in/between.
Falls in Construction
In 2020, there were 351 fatal falls to a lower level out of 1,008 construction fatalities (BLS
data). OSHA requires employees to be tied off during work at six feet of height or greater if fall
prevention measures are not adequate. The majority of employees who died due to a fall did
not have any fall protection on or the fall protection was inadequate.
Electrocutions in Construction
Electrocutions followed falls in the cause of fatalities in the construction industry. There are
multiple causes of electrocution fatalities. The common types of electrocution fatalities include
direct contact with an energized power line, direct contact with energized equipment, contact
between a boom and energized power line, damaged equipment, and indirect contact with an
energized power line.
Struck-By Incidents
Struck-by incidents are responsible for almost the same number of fatalities in the construction
industry as electrocutions each year. There are many struck-by hazards on every construction
site that can severely injure or kill workers on any given day. Common struck-by incidents
include struck-by moving equipment, struck-by falling objects, and struck-by flying debris.
Caught-In/Between Incidents
The last of the fatal four hazards in the construction industry is caught-in/between incidents.
OSHA defines caught-in/between hazards as injuries resulting from a person being squeezed,
caught, crushed, pinched, or compressed between two or more objects, or between parts of
Be Accountable: Choose safety - work safe - and go home safely!
MA’ADEN PROJECTS – RAS AL KHAIR
Weekly Mass Toolbox Meeting
an object. Two examples of caught-in/between incidents include excavation cave-ins and
being pulled into moving equipment such as a conveyor.
Summary
This was just a quick overview and examples of the fatal four hazards in the construction
industry. It is important that construction workers understand that these types of hazards are
responsible for the majority of injuries and fatalities in their field of work. In your work today,
evaluate your work tasks and work area for these hazards.
Discussion points
Which of the fatal four hazards should we must be concerned with here at our worksite?
What are some safety measures we can take to eliminate or reduce the chance of
injury related to the hazard?
Be Accountable: Choose safety - work safe - and go home safely!
