22 Mar Job Site Hazards – OSHA Focus Four

Job Site Hazards – OSHA Focus Four

Job site hazards known as OSHA’s Focus Four are falls, struck-by hazards, caught-in/between hazards, and electrocution—the leading construction hazards workers must recognize and control.

Understanding these four hazard categories helps workers identify dangerous conditions before an injury occurs. Every employee should evaluate the work area, follow established procedures, and correct or report hazards before beginning work.

Falls

Falls are a major cause of fatalities in construction and can occur from roofs, ladders, scaffolds, elevated platforms, stairs, and unprotected openings.

To prevent falls:

• Protect unguarded sides, edges, floor holes, and openings as required.
• Guard or cover skylights and other openings that create fall hazards.
• Inspect ladders and scaffolds before use.
• Use ladders only for their intended purpose and maintain three-point contact while climbing.
• Install guardrails, covers, safety nets, or personal fall protection as required for the work.
• Inspect personal fall protection equipment before use.
• Maintain good housekeeping to reduce slip and trip hazards.
• Never work at an unprotected elevation without the required fall protection.

Struck-By Hazards

Struck-by injuries occur when a worker is hit by a moving, falling, flying, or swinging object. Common hazards include vehicles, heavy equipment, suspended loads, falling tools and materials, and flying particles.

Protect yourself by:

• Staying clear of operating equipment and vehicles.
• Remaining visible to equipment operators.
• Wearing high-visibility clothing when required.
• Never walking or working beneath suspended loads.
• Securing tools and materials when working overhead.
• Establishing barricades or exclusion zones where falling-object hazards exist.
• Wearing appropriate hard hats and eye or face protection.
• Following safe practices when using power tools and powder-actuated tools.

Caught-In/Between Hazards

Caught-in/between hazards occur when a worker is caught, crushed, pinched, squeezed, or compressed between objects or equipment.

Examples include:

• Trench or excavation cave-ins.
• Being caught between moving equipment and a stationary object.
• Becoming caught in machinery or moving parts.
• Being pinned beneath materials or equipment.
• Being caught between structural components during erection or assembly.

Keep clear of pinch points and equipment swing areas, never enter an unprotected excavation when a protective system is required, and use machine guards and lockout/tagout procedures when servicing equipment.

Electrocution Hazards

Electrocution hazards can exist wherever employees work with or near electrical equipment, temporary power, extension cords, energized components, or overhead power lines.

To reduce electrical hazards:

• Inspect electrical tools, cords, and equipment before use.
• Remove damaged electrical equipment from service.
• Use required GFCI protection.
• Maintain required clearances from overhead power lines.
• De-energize electrical equipment before performing work whenever feasible.
• Apply required lockout/tagout procedures before servicing equipment.
• Keep electrical equipment and connections protected from wet conditions.
• Never perform electrical work unless trained, qualified, and authorized for the task.

Before Work Begins

Look for all four Focus Four hazards during the pre-task assessment or JSA. Conditions can change throughout the shift, so continue evaluating the work area and stop work when an uncontrolled hazard develops.

Remember

Job site hazards are easier to control when they are recognized before work begins. Think about the OSHA Focus Four: falls, struck-by, caught-in/between, and electrocution hazards. Identify them, control them, and never take shortcuts around required safeguards.