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Focus Four Training & Certification
Hard Hat Training courses meet all training requirements set by OSHA.
We Offer Three Types of Focus Four Safety Trainings
Our regulation-aligned Focus Four certification courses are updated to reflect the most recent changes made to safety standards. Whether you want a certification in as little as two hours, or a more robust training, we can help! We offer online trainings that can be completed in a day, DIY training kits that provide training materials, Train the Trainer certifications that certify individuals to train others and provide training materials, or onsite training. No matter what you choose, we can get you what you want, at a price you can afford.
Online Training
Online training is for those who prefer self-paced training from any location and/or for employers who need to assign and monitor employee training progress and exam scores.
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Training Kits
The training kit is for those who want the freedom of doing the training themselves. It is an PowerPoint Presentation (PPT) that you can present yourself to a group of trainees.
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Train the Trainer
Train the Trainer courses are online and meant to certify a individual to use the training kit to train others. Training kit and materials are included with the Train the Trainer online course for no additional cost.
Purchase OptionsWhat’s in the Focus Four Training Course?
Our Focus Four training course is regulation aligned, and our online version fulfills classroom training requirements. Each class contains sections on falls, electrocution, struck by, and caught-in/between.
During this training, we will be taking a look at the leading causes of construction employee deaths in the United States.
The first topic we will cover is falls. Falls may happen on the ground from slipping or tripping on a working surface. The majority of falls that cause death, however, happen at heights.
The second topic we will look at is electrocution. This will include general information on what electrocution hazards are and how they occur, possible sources of electrocution on the worksite, and protective measures that will protect employees from being electrocuted.
The third topic we will go over is struck by. Employees are exposed to falling objects, loads, and heavy machinery on most worksites, so there needs to be protective measures in place.
The final topic we will cover is caught-in/between accidents. This includes protecting employees from being squashed, crushed, or stuck in machinery, equipment, or structures.
This presentation includes intermittent practice quiz questions to prepare for the final written exam included with the course. In addition to the written exam, this course also includes a checklist for employers to use when administering a practical exam as required by OSHA.
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For most courses, we offer OSHA trainings in English and Spanish, CAL/OSHA trainings in English, and Canada trainings in English. See all of our options!
View Purchase OptionsFocus Four Certification Standards
U.S. Standards
Train the Trainer Certification
The Train the Trainer option is used to certify a trainer to teach others using the included training kit. It incorporates the online course with an additional train the trainer module, as well as the training kit. This option results in an regulation-aligned lifetime trainer certification from Hard Hat Training. This certification is not company-specific, meaning you can take it with you should you change employers.
Why Do I Need Focus Four Safety Training?
In line with regulations, anyone who operates heavy equipment must receive training prior to operating the machine on their own. Requirements for refresher training and other processes are very specific. Most other equipment doesn’t have such specific OSHA training requirements, but it’s wise to follow the same guidelines.
When it comes to refresher health and safety training, the standards in some instances (like forklifts) are very specific: operators must be re-evaluated every three years to see if they are still competent to operate the equipment. Best practices say to apply this same rule to all types of equipment. A so-called “free-pass” cannot be awarded based on experience, age, or time on the job. The extent of the evaluation is to be determined by the employer but should include a written and practical examination that prove continued competency.
Stay Informed On All Things Focus Four
Did You Know?
OSHA estimates that eliminating accidents caused by the focus four would save more than 500 employees each year. (OSHA)
One in five employees who died on the job in the United States in 2018 worked in the construction industry. (OSHA)
On average, 14 employees died on the job each day in the United States in 2018. (OSHA)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is knowing about the focus four hazards important?
While OSHA calls them the “focus four,” others call them the “fatal four.” That is because these hazards are the top four killers in the construction industry. The focus four training not only explains what the focus four hazards are but it also teaches you how to avoid them. Believe it or not, many of these hazards are completely avoidable as long as you follow safe work principles.
What is the number one cause of construction fatalities?
Falls is the top cause of construction worker fatalities. Falls includes employees falling from heights or falling at the ground level; however, falls from heights are more likely to cause death.
What are the most common types of caught-in and caught-between hazards?
These types of hazards often happen due to improper lockout/tagout procedures on machinery and equipment, inadequate machine guarding, and incorrect excavation practices. Employees who don’t respect danger zones around heavy machinery or position themselves between fixed objects and machinery also put themselves at risk for caught-in or caught-between accidents.
What is not a fatal four event?
Any accidents unrelated to falls, electrocution, struck by, or caught-in/between are not “fatal four” or focus four events. You will be hard-pressed to find accidents where one or more of these hazards are not involved. Virtually every worksite will have focus four hazards, and most accidents in the construction industry are caused by or related to these hazards.
What industry has the most deaths?
In the United States, the construction industry has the highest amount of fatal injuries each year. The transportation industry is a close second.
What is the difference between a struck by and caught-in/between accident?
Struck-by accidents and caught-in/between accidents look similar sometimes. The key to distinguishing them is knowing when the injury happened. If the impact of the object caused the injury, then it’s a struck-by accident. If the employee is injured because they were crushed between two objects, then it’s a caught-in or caught-between accident.
See Purchase Options
For most courses, we offer OSHA trainings in English and Spanish, CAL/OSHA trainings in English, and Canada trainings in English. See all of our options!
View Purchase Options