Having the answers/solutions to problems doesn’t always come easy. Where do we focus our attention when it comes to the safety and health of our employees, success and profitability of our company? In plain sight, OSHA gives us these answers in the form of the Focus Four. Putting aside political views, our government provides the American work force with the necessary information and regulations to do our jobs safely. There are no secrets when it comes to injury/fatality data and violations cited. This information can be found with just a few clicks of the mouse.
OSHA has identified the four leading causes of fatalities in the Construction Industry. They are; Fall Hazards, Electrical Hazards, Struck-By Hazards and Caught-In or -Between Hazards. This is where we need to focus our concentration of training and discussions. Safety professionals know this, but do owners, presidents, supervisors, foreman, and field employees?
The Focus four are the basis of how I conduct job site/ facility audits. Housekeeping and the use/condition of PPE and tools are also on my radar. With anything, we tend to learn best from mistakes. The school of Hard Knocks can be cruel and painful with financial and emotional damage mixed in. Next time you’re looking for training information, toolbox talks, or general safety discussion and don’t know where to begin, use OSHA’s Focus Four.
Alex Edwards
Bailey Safety
502-909-5804
alexe@baileysafety.com