OSHA-Based Solutions for Construction’s “Fatal Four”

Even the phrase used to identify construction’s deadliest hazards is enough to emphasize their danger. But make no mistake, it’s not just a fear-mongering tactic. The “fatal four” is how the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) refers to the four most common causes of death on the construction site.

 

OSHA has attributed 59.9% of construction deaths to the fatal four. These hazards, and the percent of deaths caused by each in 2017, are:
⦁ Falls (39.2%)
⦁ Being struck by an object (8.2%)
⦁ Electrocution (7.3%)
⦁ Caught in/between objects (5.1%)

 
OSHA certified training programs have dedicated entire courses to the prevention of the fatal four, which have so far proven effective. In 2016, fatal four related deaths on the construction site were 4% higher.
 
Still, there’s a long way to go, and OSHA estimates that eliminating these hazards would save 582 workers’ lives in the US each year.  Although completely eliminating them may be impossible, there are definitely strategies to prevent against them.

Falls
As can be seen by the above numbers, falls are the deadliest of the fatal four. There are a number of specific work site habits that contribute to the abundance of falls, such as:
⦁ Unstable ladders
⦁ Poorly secured scaffolding
⦁ Unguarded roof edges
⦁ Unindicated roof/floor openings

 
Ladders and scaffolding should always be tested for security. Similarly, personal fall arrest equipment should be worn on upper levels of a construction site. While many workers and employers overlook this, it can be life-saving. By strapping a harness around themselves, workers are anchored to the construction in a way that ensures any falls will be protected while still providing full mobility.
 
Many workers also overlook the indication of floor openings. These should be covered and labeled, whether with orange cones or caution tape. On multi-level structures, guardrails must be placed along the edges – this is not just a suggestion, but an OSHA requirement.
 
If the aforementioned precautions are taken when it comes to falls, nearly 381 workers’ lives could be spared.

Struck by an Object

 
Construction sites are filled with cement trucks, tractors, and other heavy-duty moving objects and vehicles. Therefore, it’s no surprise that injuries and deaths caused by objects are so abundant. At the very least, workers should wear their reflective vests at all times, increasing their visibility for other workers operating this machinery.
 
Personal protective equipment also matters. Safety goggles might seem like a small feat, but they can go a long way toward preventing blindness where falling and flying objects are present (whether it be sediment or sawdust).
 
Most importantly, however, are hard hats. In an 8-year study, traumatic brain injuries accounted for one-quarter of all construction fatalities. While concussions might seem like a commonplace occurrence on the worksite, it shouldn’t be. And there’s no telling when what seems like a simple head injury could lead to dire circumstances.
 

Electrocution
Electrocution on the construction site typically occurs when a tall object, like an aerial lift, crane, or scaffold, comes into contact with a power line. For this reason, electrical sources (be they power lines or transformers) should always be marked and identified prior to beginning construction.

 
This way, when planning the layout of equipment, it will be kept well away from those structures.
 
Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) should also be used when installing the electrical work on a building. They are programmed to trip or shut off automatically when they sense a “ground fault”. A ground fault is a connection between an electric conductor and a ground wire caused by an accidental electric path (i.e. a human body).
 
As a result, GFCIs are regular fixtures on construction site due to their immense effectiveness in preventing shocks and electrocutions.

Caught In/Between
Displacement of land is almost always necessary where there is major construction. Wherever excavation leads to trenches, there is always a hazard of cave-ins or slipping sediment that can cause workers to get trapped.

 
For this reason, trenches deeper than five feet must always be equipped with one of the following protective systems:
⦁ Sloping for easier accessibility
⦁ Shoring to hold up a weak or unstable object that has a risk of collapsing
⦁ Benching to level access to the trench by adding steps/stairs
 
This hazard also accounts for workers who get caught in/compressed by equipment or moving machine parts, such as miter saws, conveyor systems, or rotating pump shafts. Proper machine safeguards should be implemented to prevent amputation or more dire circumstances.

Extra Precautions
The best precaution of all is to ensure that workers are properly trained. OSHA’s website contains countless resources for workers and construction site managers on how to combat every hazard imaginable. Third-party OSHA-approved providers can also delve into deeper detail regarding prevention methods.

 
Of all the workplaces, the construction site calls for the most diligence. A survey of construction leaders by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2018 attributed 58 percent of dangerous work sites to unskilled workers. However, it is up to these construction leaders to ensure their employees are getting the proper training.
 
With construction leaders and management setting the right example and training requirements, the impacts of the fatal four could surely be diminished.
 

Ellie Batchiyska is a writer for Advance Online, the first web-based training provider to be accepted by the OSHA Outreach Program for DOL OSHA completion cards.