OSHA Fatal Four: Construction's Deadliest Hazards

Four types of hazards account for more than half of all construction worker deaths each year. OSHA calls them the "Fatal Four." All are preventable.

34%

Falls

The leading cause of construction fatalities. Workers fall from roofs, scaffolds, ladders, and elevated platforms. OSHA's fall protection standards (1926.502, 1926.503) require physical barriers or personal fall arrest systems when workers are at or above 6 feet.

Key standard: 29 CFR 1926.502 — Fall Protection Systems
9%

Struck-By

Workers killed by moving vehicles, falling objects, flying debris, and swinging crane loads. Hard hats (1926.100), vehicle exclusion zones, spotter requirements, and overhead load control are key controls.

Key standard: 29 CFR 1926.100 — Head Protection
8%

Caught-In/Between

Workers caught in, under, or between equipment and structures — trench cave-ins, rotating equipment without guards, and being pinned between vehicles. Trench shoring, machine guarding, and lockout/tagout are essential.

Key standard: 29 CFR 1926.651 — Excavations
8%

Electrocution

Contact with overhead power lines, unguarded electrical equipment, and improper use of extension cords. Minimum clearance distances from power lines, GFCI protection on all job sites, and proper lockout/tagout of electrical equipment prevent electrocution deaths.

Key standard: 29 CFR 1926.416 — Electrical Safety

By the numbers

Approximately 1,000 construction workers die on the job in the US each year. The Fatal Four account for roughly 600 of those deaths. OSHA estimates that eliminating the Fatal Four would save over 500 workers' lives annually. All four categories are covered by well-established OSHA standards that have been in place for decades.

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