Safety Tip of the Week – Nailing Down the Need for Nail Gun Safety

Nail guns are powerful, easy to operate, and boost productivity for nailing tasks. They are also responsible for an estimated 37,000 emergency room visits each year – 68% of these involve workers and 32% involve consumers.

Nail gun injuries:

There are seven major risk factors that can lead to nail gun injury. Understanding them will help you to prevent injuries on your job sites.

1. Unintended nail discharge from double fire;
2. Unintended nail discharge from knocking the safety contact with the trigger squeezed;
3. Nail penetration through lumber work piece;
4. Nail ricochet after striking a hard surface or metal feature;
5. Missing the work piece;
6. Awkward position nailing; and
7. Bypassing safety mechanisms.
8. Prevent nail gun injuries:
9. By taking these steps, employers can prevent nail gun injuries from occurring:
10. Use full sequential trigger nail guns;

Provide training;

1. Establish nail gun work procedures;
2. Provide personal protective equipment (PPE);
3. Encourage reporting and discussion of injuries and close calls; and
4. Provide first aid and medical treatment.

IGNORING A WARNING…CAN CAUSE SUCH MOURNING!