Nail Guns PowderActuated Tools
Nail Guns PowderActuated Tools
Nail Guns PowderActuated Tools
Related Accidents
An employee was using a powder actuated tool to
install fasteners through metal decking and into a
concrete floor above.
He shot at an angle, and the stud went through the
metal deck, ricocheted, and struck him in the head,
killing him.
The accident occurred in Kalamazoo
County, MI.
The employer was issued three
citations, two serious and one willful.
Related Accidents
Victim was working on the balcony.
Another employee, who stood on an elevated
platform behind the victim, had a nail gun on his
belt.
As this employee turned around, the nail gun
automatically shot the victim's shoulder.
Victim fainted and fell over 10 feet to the ground
and died.
Related Accidents
An employee (deceased) was walking up behind
another employee, the brother of deceased, was
performing framing type work with a nail gun
(Hitachi NR 83A).
The brother was in a kneeling position, when the
victim walked up behind him, the brother turned
(partially stood up and turned around) to speak
with him and accidently placed the nail gun
against the victim's chest, with his finger still
depressing the trigger of the nail gun, deployed a
nail into his chest, resulting in fatal injury
Related Accidents
A contractor was rehabbing the office next
door to the barbershop and using a highvelocity, powder-actuated tool.
The fastener he shot into the wall went
through a stud, into the barbershop and hit a
man in the back of the neck.
A seven-figure settlement resulted. 3
OSHA Regulations
1926.302 (e) 1 - Only employees who have
been trained in the operation of the
particular tool in use shall be allowed to
operate a powder-actuated tool.
1926.302 (e) 2 The tool shall be tested
each day before loading to see that safety
devices are in proper working condition
OSHA Regulations
1926.302 (e) 4 PPE shall be in accordance
with Subpart E of this part.
1926.302 (e) 6 Loaded tools shall not be
left unattended.
1926.302 (e) 10 Tools shall not be used in
an explosive or flammable atmosphere.
Procedures to be followed
Make sure tool operators are qualified
Tool operators must be able to:
Procedures to be followed
Make sure eye and face protection
is worn
Post signs where tools are being used & in
adjacent areas where tool use could pose
hazard
Procedures to be followed
Make sure the tool meets ANSI design &
construction requirements, standard ANSI
A10.3-1995, Safety Requirements for
Powder-Actuated Fastening Systems
Procedures to be followed
Make sure each tool has a readable,
permanent label that shows the
manufacturers:
Model number
Unique serial number
Procedures to be followed
Make sure powder loads & power levels are identified as
specified by the Powder-Load Identification Table:
Procedures to be followed
Make sure the tool is for the appropriate job
Make sure operator uses the tool safely
Procedures to be followed
Make sure tools arent used in an explosive
or flammable atmosphere
If tool misfires:
Hold it firmly against the work surface for 30
seconds
Follow the instructions in the tool
manufacturers instruction manual
Procedures to be followed
Hold the tool perpendicular to the work
surface when fastening to any material
Keep the fastener from passing completely
through the structural material by using a
backing material when
driving a fastener into any
material that is thin or easily
penetrated
References
1. http://www.homeadditionplus.com/produc
t-reviews-info/Powder-Actuated-NailGuns.htm
2. http://www.lni.wa.gov/WISHA/Rules/port
ablepowertools/HTML/296-807-150.htm
3. http://www.rentalmanagementmag.com/A
RCHIVES/SortedFiles/RiskMgt/riskmana
gement6-7-00.html