# The Focus Four (Fatal Four) Hazards
OSHA's **"Focus Four"** are the four hazards responsible for the majority of construction deaths. Know them cold.
## 1. Falls — the #1 killer
Falls from roofs, ladders, scaffolds, and floor/wall openings cause more construction deaths than anything else. **Fall protection** is the single most important safeguard.
## 2. Struck-By
Being hit by vehicles, falling or flying objects, or swinging loads. Watch for backing equipment, secure tools/materials at height, and never stand under a load.
## 3. Caught-In / Between
Caught in or crushed by collapsing material (trench cave-ins), machinery, or between equipment and a fixed object. Trenching and unguarded machinery are major culprits.
## 4. Electrocution
Contact with power lines, energized circuits, or faulty equipment. Maintain distance from overhead lines and never assume a circuit is dead.
These four get the most attention because eliminating them prevents the most deaths.
**Takeaway:** Falls, struck-by, caught-in/between, electrocution — the Focus Four cause most construction deaths. Plan every task to avoid them.
> ⚠️ *Educational overview — this is **not** official OSHA certification. Get OSHA 10/30 training from an OSHA-authorized trainer, and always follow your employer's safety program and current OSHA standards (29 CFR 1926 for construction).*
