What are the 4 categories of OSHA?

Asked by: Dedrick Krajcik  |  Last update: April 27, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (33 votes)

OSHA doesn't have one universal "4 categories," but the most common meanings refer to either the "Focus Four" Construction Hazards (Falls, Struck-by, Caught-in/between, Electrocution) that cause most fatalities, or the Four Major Standard Categories (General Industry, Construction, Maritime, Agriculture) for regulations, or perhaps the Four Types of Occupational Health Hazards (Biological, Ergonomic, Chemical, Physical). Another is the COVID-19 Risk Pyramid (Low, Medium, High, Very High Risk).

What are the 4 categories of OSHA standards?

OSHA standards are primarily grouped into four major industry categories: General Industry, Construction, Maritime, and Agriculture, each covering specific hazards and requirements within those sectors, though some cross-industry standards like Hazard Communication and PPE apply broadly across all four. 

What is OSHA's big four?

The top four causes of construction fatalities are: Falls, Struck-By, Caught-In/Between and Electrocutions. Wear and use personal fall arrest equipment.

What is OSHA classification?

The OSHA Classification System is a comprehensive list of subjects on which OSHA writes Directives and under which OSHA files records. OSHA's previous classification system was installed in the Agency in 1978, and has not been materially altered since its inception.

What is OSHA hazard categories 1 4?

0-4 0-least hazardous 4-most hazardous 1-4 1-most severe hazard 4-least severe hazard • The Hazard category numbers are NOT required to be on labels but are required on SDSs in Section 2. Numbers are used to CLASSIFY hazards to determine what label information is required.

What Are The 4 Categories of OSHA | OSHA STANDARD | OSHA CERTIFICATION #jifsa

37 related questions found

What is the 4 hazard classification?

The four main types of workplace hazards, often categorized by safety organizations like OSHA, are Chemical, Biological, Physical, and Ergonomic, each representing different sources of potential harm, from toxic substances and bacteria to noise, machinery, and repetitive motions, requiring distinct control measures.
 

What are the 4 categories of workplace hazards?

But what are the four main types of hazards in the workplace? In this helpful guide, we'll run through chemical, biological, ergonomic and physical hazards, how to understand them and show you how to prevent accidents associated with them.

What are the four main groups into which OSHA standards are divided?

OSHA standards are primarily grouped into four major industry categories: General Industry, Construction, Maritime, and Agriculture, each covering specific hazards and requirements within those sectors, though some cross-industry standards like Hazard Communication and PPE apply broadly across all four. 

What is OSHA category 3?

Category 3 shall include liquids having flashpoints at or above 73.4 °F (23 °C) and at or below 140 °F (60 °C).

What are the four types of OSHA employers?

According to Cal/OSHA, there are four types of citable employers on multi-employer work- sites: the exposing employer, the creating employer, the controlling employer, and the correcting employer.

What are the 4 main hazards?

The four main types of workplace hazards, often categorized by safety organizations like OSHA, are Chemical, Biological, Physical, and Ergonomic, each representing different sources of potential harm, from toxic substances and bacteria to noise, machinery, and repetitive motions, requiring distinct control measures.
 

What are the four components of OSHA?

The four main industry categories for OSHA standards are General Industry, Construction, Maritime, and Agriculture, with each having specific regulations to address unique workplace hazards, although some sources also refer to "four pillars" of safety like policies, training, and hazard identification, or focus on construction's "Fatal Four" hazards (falls, electrocution, struck-by, caught-in/between). 

What is OSHA's 3 most cited violation?

The top 3 OSHA citations consistently involve Fall Protection – General Requirements, Hazard Communication, and Ladders, though the exact order shifts slightly by year, with Fall Protection usually leading, followed by issues with chemical safety and ladder setup/use across both construction and general industry. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, the top citations were Fall Protection (General Requirements), Hazard Communication, and Ladders, with similar patterns seen in previous years.
 

What is OSHA's Focus 4?

construction industry were: falls, struck-by object, caught-in or -between, and electrocution. These "Fatal [Focus] Four" were responsible for nearly three out of five (59%) construction worker deaths in 2009, BLS reports.

What does category 4 mean on SDS?

Acute toxicity – Category 4 This is the least severe category of acute toxicity and can result from Oral, Dermal, or Inhalation exposures. Specific target organ toxicity (STOT) – single exposure - Cat 3 Products that cause or may cause damage to organs (eg.

What are the four main types of OSHA inspections?

OSHA inspections typically fall into five general categories: (1) Programmed Inspections, (2) Complaint Investigations, (3) Referrals, (4) Imminent Danger Investigations, and (5) Accident Investigations (including fatalities and catastrophes).

How many categories does OSHA have?

Federal OSHA Standards.

Standards are grouped into four major categories: general industry (29 CFR 1910); construction (29 CFR 1926); maritime (shipyards, marine terminals, longshoring) (29 CFR 1915-19); and agriculture (29 CFR 1928).

What is a class 3 classification?

Hazard Class 3 includes flammable liquids that have a flash point at or below 140°F (60°C). You may recognize some of these common chemicals - gasoline, diesel fuel, ethanol, acetone and various industrial solvents.

What are 5 hazard categories?

Workplace hazards fall into six core types – safety, biological, physical, ergonomic, chemical and workload.

  • 1) Safety hazards. ...
  • 2) Biological hazards. ...
  • 3) Physical hazards. ...
  • 4) Ergonomic hazards. ...
  • 5) Chemical hazards. ...
  • 6) Workload hazards.

What are the 4 OSHA standards?

The four main industry categories for OSHA standards are General Industry, Construction, Maritime, and Agriculture, with each having specific regulations to address unique workplace hazards, although some sources also refer to "four pillars" of safety like policies, training, and hazard identification, or focus on construction's "Fatal Four" hazards (falls, electrocution, struck-by, caught-in/between). 

What are the 4 categories of occupational hazards?

The four categories of occupational health hazards are biological, ergonomic, chemical, and physical hazards. In addition to the four types of hazards, employers must also consider hazards leading to slips, trips, and falls.

How many different OSHA classes are there?

OSHA.com features a comprehensive online library with over 30 general safety and manufacturing safety classes.

What are the four categories of hazards?

The four main types of workplace hazards, often categorized by safety organizations like OSHA, are Chemical, Biological, Physical, and Ergonomic, each representing different sources of potential harm, from toxic substances and bacteria to noise, machinery, and repetitive motions, requiring distinct control measures.
 

What is a type 4 hazard?

Subsets of class 4 are:

4.1 Flammable Solids are readily combustible, or may contribute to a fire through friction. These include: Flammable solids. Self reactive substances. Solid desensitized explosives.

What are the 4 hazard groups in the workplace?

There are many types of hazards - chemical, ergonomic, physical, and psychosocial, to name a few - which can cause harm or adverse effects in the workplace. Get resources on specific hazards and their control, including identification, risk assessment and inspections, to keep your workplace healthy and safe.