Focus Four Injuries
The construction Focus Four are the four injury types that combined cause almost two-thirds of on-the-job fatalities among the industry’s workers (see below). These include fall to lower level, electrocution, struck-by injuries, and caught-in/between injuries. Falls alone account for over one-third of construction deaths yearly on average (see dashboard). Due to their share of all injuries, the Focus Four highlight where prevention efforts may have the most impact through reducing these injuries and specific hazards. As a result, tracking changes and trends in these types of injuries can help provide information on some of the most dangerous hazards in construction and enable us to adequately identify changes in these injuries.
This interactive story-dashboard characterizes fatal Focus Four injuries in construction for 2023 and beyond, alongside 2011-2022 data. There is one chart level filter on each tab, Focus Four Category, that updates the bottom chart(s) and the bolded and underlined key findings. Click on the boxes at the top of the dashboard to switch between the two sheets, Focus Four 2023 and Focus Four 2011-2022
Beneath the interactive dashboard, you will find more information on the data source, definitions, chart notes, a downloadable data file, and a recommended citation. This interactive data dashboard corresponds to a chapter in the upcoming PDF version of the Construction Chart Book-7th edition, which will be published later this summer. Data will be updated annually or as available. If you have questions or comments, please email [email protected].
About the Data
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries 2011-2023.
Due to changes in Occupational Injuries and Illness Classification System (OIICS) 3.0, pre 2023 estimates are not comparable to post 2023 estimates of Focus Four injuries. Additionally, the first tab shows only private industry workers while the second shows all fatalities.
Definitions
- Event type – the manner in which the injury or illness was produced or inflicted, such as a fall, heat-related illness, etc. Based on the OIICS 3.0 Manual for the first tab, and the 2012 Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System (OIICS) for the second tab.
- Focus Four – the top four injury groups which cause a majority of fatal injuries in construction.
- Fall to lower level
- – Includes OIICS 2.0 code 43 (Falls to lower level).
- 2023 – Includes OIICS 3.0 codes 410 (Fall to lower level – unspecified), 411 (Fall to lower level from collapsing structure or equipment), 412 (Fall to lower level resulting from exposure or contact), 413 (Fall to lower level resulting in exposure or contact), 414 (Other fall to lower level), and 419 (Fall to lower level – caught self or curtailed).
- Electrocution
- 2011-2022 – Includes OIICS 2.0 code 51 (Exposure to electricity).
- 2023 – Includes OIICS 3.0 codes 510 (Exposure to electricity – unspecified), 511 (Direct exposure to electricity), 512 (Indirect exposure to electricity), and 513 (Exposure to electric arc).
- Struck-by
- 2011-2022 – Includes OIICS 2.0 codes 24 (Pedestrian vehicular incident) and 62 (Struck by object or equipment)
- 2023 – Includes OIICS 3.0 codes 25 (Pedestrian incidents involving motorized land vehicles), 64 (Struck by propelled, falling, or suspending object), 650 (Struck by running powered equipment – unspecified), 651 (Struck by runn9ing powered equipment – irregular movement, kick back), 652 (Struck by running powered equipment – during maintenance, cleaning, testing), 655 (Struck by rolling powered vehicle or machinery), 659 (Struck by running powered equipment – n.e.c.), 660 (Contact with non-running objects or equipment – unspecified), and 663 (Struck by rolling, sliding, or shifting objects – non-running).
- Caught-in/between
- 2011-2022 – Includes OIICS 2.0 codes 64 (Caught in or compressed by equipment or objects) and 65 (Collapsing structure, equipment, or material).
- 2023 – Includes OIICS 3.0 codes 63 (Collapse, engulfment), 653 (Caught, entangled in running powered equipment – normal operation), 654 (Compressed between running equipment and other object(s)), 662 (Entangled in non-running object), 664 (caught or wedged between objects – non-running).
- Fall to lower level