The Focus Four are an important consideration for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as they identify the four main ways workers in the construction industry suffer injuries. Often, these injuries are fatal or can lead to severe ramifications, such as spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries.
By understanding these risks, workers can take steps to stay safe and better understand the hazards they face on the job.
Fall accidents
To start with, the highest number of fatal accidents in construction come from falls. These can be falls from ladders, scaffolding or other elevated positions. They can also be falls down the stairs or slip-and-fall accidents on the same level.
Caught-in or caught-between accidents
Next, you have caught-in or caught-between accidents. These can happen when a worker is caught within a piece of machinery, such as a conveyor belt. They also happen when a worker is caught between two machines or two vehicles.
Struck-by accidents
One hazard workers face is when tools, materials or debris fall from above. A worker who is struck by these falling items could suffer serious head injuries, even when wearing a hardhat.
Electrocutions
Finally, there are many electrical hazards posed by heavy equipment and working around live power lines. Miscommunication issues sometimes lead to electrocutions when a worker may not realize that a line is still live.
Have you been injured in one of the four ways listed above? If so, you must understand all of the legal options you have to seek appropriate workers’ comp benefits.