What are OSHA’s Focus Four hazards?
OSHA’s Focus Four (often called the “Fatal Four”) are the four hazard categories tied to the majority of construction fatalities:
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Falls
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Struck-by
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Caught-in/between
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Electrocution
This post focuses only on Focus Four electrocution hazards, the part many crews underestimate because they think “that’s the electrician’s problem.” It’s not.
The real reason electrocution happens on construction sites
Electrocution incidents rarely come from a single “crazy mistake.” They come from everyday jobsite conditions:
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Temporary power everywhere
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Tools and cords that take abuse
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Wet areas and concrete work
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Tight deadlines
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Multiple trades working around energized sources
If your site has any temporary power at all, you have an electrocution exposure to manage.
Quick self-check: Are you “Focus Four ready” for electrocution hazards?
If you answer YES to even one of these, your electrocution risk is higher than you think:
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“We’ve got cords with tape repairs, but they still work.”
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“The GFCI trips sometimes, so guys move to a different outlet.”
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“We don’t test GFCIs; if power is on, we assume it’s fine.”
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“Cords run through puddles/mud sometimes.”
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“Ladders and lifts get used near overhead lines.”
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“Anyone can open the panel if they ‘know what they’re doing.’”
If any of that sounded familiar, don’t try to fix it with a memo. Fix it with a simple system + training.
Start here: OSHA Focus Four Hazards in Construction: Electrocution
OSHA Focus Four: most common electrocution scenarios (the ones that keep repeating)
These are the scenarios that show up on real sites and in Focus Four training content:
1) Ladders, lifts, or materials contacting overhead power lines
This is one of the most common fatal electrocution events.
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Extension ladders shifting into lines
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Boom lifts operating too close
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Telehandlers swinging a load into conductors
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Dump boxes raised under overhead wires
Field rule: Treat overhead lines as energized unless proven otherwise.
2) Damaged extension cords and portable tools
Cords fail constantly in construction environments:
Field rule: If it’s damaged, it’s out of service—no exceptions.
3) Wet areas + missing (or bypassed) GFCI protection
Concrete, rain, washdowns, basements—wet conditions turn minor electrical issues into major shocks.
Field rule: If you’re using temporary power or portable tools, assume you need working GFCI protection.
4) Improper grounding/bonding on temporary power or generators
Temporary setups are where mistakes hide:
5) Open panels, missing covers, exposed energized parts
Panels left open “for the day,” missing blanks, exposed terminals, this is where serious incidents happen fast.
The 5-minute supervisor walkthrough (daily Focus Four electrocution check)
Use this once per day. It’s fast and it catches the issues that cause shocks:
Cords & tools (60 seconds)
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No cuts, splices, or tape repairs
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Ground pins intact
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Connections protected from water
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Cords routed away from traffic and pinch points
GFCI protection (60 seconds)
Recommended training for this specific risk: Ground Fault Protection for Construction
Overhead line exposure (60 seconds)
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Are overhead lines identified/marked?
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Are ladders, lifts, or materials operating near lines?
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Is there a clear “no-go” buffer zone?
Temporary power & panels (60 seconds)
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Panels closed, labeled, protected from weather and impact
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No missing covers/blanks
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No exposed energized components
Stop-work triggers (60 seconds)
If any of these happen, work pauses until fixed:
Toolbox talk: Focus Four electrocution hazards (2–3 minutes)
Today’s Focus Four topic is electrocution hazards.
Electrocution happens fast and it doesn’t take high voltage to kill. Our goal today is simple: keep electricity in the circuit, not in a person.
Here’s what we’re watching for today:
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Overhead lines — ladders and lifts stay clear.
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Cords and tools — if it’s damaged, it comes out of service.
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Wet areas — cords and power stay out of water; GFCIs must be used and tested.
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Panels and temporary power — only qualified workers open panels.
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Stop-work triggers — repeated GFCI trips or exposed power means we stop and fix it.
If you see something unsafe, call it out immediately. No one gets in trouble for stopping work to prevent a shock.
Prevention checklist
The simplest training path (so you don’t overthink it)
This is where most companies lose momentum: too many course choices. Here’s a clean path that matches how work actually happens.
Step 1: Cover the Focus Four electrocution requirement
OSHA Focus Four Hazards in Construction: Electrocution
Step 2: Give every worker the baseline
Electrical Safety Awareness for Construction
Step 3: Reduce the most common jobsite shock hazards
Ground Fault Protection for Construction
Step 4: Role-based next steps (fast and practical)
Most popular electrical safety courses (the “always include” set)
If you want a reliable set that works across most construction companies:
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Electrical Safety Awareness for Construction
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Electrical Safety for Construction
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Working Safely with Electricity for Construction
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Ground Fault Protection for Construction
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OSHA Focus Four: Electrocution
If you want a clean, defensible way to cover OSHA Focus Four electrocution hazards and reduce real jobsite risk, start with the Focus Four course and build from there:
Popular Training Courses
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