If you’re searching focus four OSHA or OSHA Focus Four hazards, chances are you’re in one of these situations:
You have an OSHA 10/30 requirement to cover Focus Four topics
A GC or client asked for Focus Four training proof
You’re tightening up your program before a site visit, audit, or prequal
You’ve seen too many close calls with temporary power, cords, or overhead lines
Electrocution is one of OSHA’s Focus Four hazards because it kills fast and often looks “normal” until it’s not.
This guide gives you:
The most common Focus Four electrocution scenarios
A 5-minute daily supervisor walkthrough
A copy/paste toolbox talk script
A prevention checklist (downloadable format)
A simple training path to get your crew covered
Featured training (fastest way to cover this topic)
OSHA’s Focus Four (often called the “Fatal Four”) are the four hazard categories tied to the majority of construction fatalities:
Falls
Struck-by
Caught-in/between
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.
Electrocution incidents rarely come from a single “crazy mistake.” They come from everyday jobsite conditions:
Temporary power everywhere
Tools and cords that take abuse
Wet areas and concrete work
Tight deadlines
Multiple trades working around energized sources
If your site has any temporary power at all, you have an electrocution exposure to manage.
If you answer YES to even one of these, your electrocution risk is higher than you think:
“We’ve got cords with tape repairs, but they still work.”
“The GFCI trips sometimes, so guys move to a different outlet.”
“We don’t test GFCIs; if power is on, we assume it’s fine.”
“Cords run through puddles/mud sometimes.”
“Ladders and lifts get used near overhead lines.”
“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
These are the scenarios that show up on real sites and in Focus Four training content:
This is one of the most common fatal electrocution events.
Extension ladders shifting into lines
Boom lifts operating too close
Telehandlers swinging a load into conductors
Dump boxes raised under overhead wires
Field rule: Treat overhead lines as energized unless proven otherwise.
Cords fail constantly in construction environments:
Cuts and pinches
Missing ground pins
Improvised repairs
Plugs that don’t seat properly
Field rule: If it’s damaged, it’s out of service—no exceptions.
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.
Temporary setups are where mistakes hide:
Miswired connections
Incorrect grounding assumptions
“It worked yesterday” logic
Panels left open “for the day,” missing blanks, exposed terminals, this is where serious incidents happen fast.
Use this once per day. It’s fast and it catches the issues that cause shocks:
No cuts, splices, or tape repairs
Ground pins intact
Connections protected from water
Cords routed away from traffic and pinch points
GFCIs present where temporary power is used
Test/reset performed
No bypasses or “workarounds”
Recommended training for this specific risk: Ground Fault Protection for Construction
Are overhead lines identified/marked?
Are ladders, lifts, or materials operating near lines?
Is there a clear “no-go” buffer zone?
Panels closed, labeled, protected from weather and impact
No missing covers/blanks
No exposed energized components
If any of these happen, work pauses until fixed:
Repeated GFCI trips
Damaged cord found
Standing water near power
Panel open/exposed energized parts
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:
Overhead lines — ladders and lifts stay clear.
Cords and tools — if it’s damaged, it comes out of service.
Wet areas — cords and power stay out of water; GFCIs must be used and tested.
Panels and temporary power — only qualified workers open panels.
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.
Overhead lines identified and marked
Ladders/lifts/material handling kept clear of overhead lines
Cords inspected (no cuts, no tape, no missing ground pins)
Tools inspected and removed if damaged
GFCIs installed where required
GFCIs tested (test/reset)
Cords kept out of water/mud
Temporary panels closed, labeled, weather protected
No exposed energized parts
Only qualified workers access panels or energized equipment
Lockout/Tagout used for servicing and troubleshooting
This is where most companies lose momentum: too many course choices. Here’s a clean path that matches how work actually happens.
OSHA Focus Four Hazards in Construction: Electrocution
Electrical Safety Awareness for Construction
Ground Fault Protection for Construction
Supervisors / foremen: Electrical Hazard Recognition & Control
Maintenance / servicing / troubleshooting: Control of Hazardous Energies (LOTO)
Bilingual crews: Spanish electrical safety options
If you want a reliable set that works across most construction companies:
Electrical Safety Awareness for Construction
Electrical Safety for Construction
Working Safely with Electricity for Construction
Ground Fault Protection for Construction
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:
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