Powder Actuated Tool Safety

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Powder Actuated Tool Safety
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How Are They Used?

• Powder actuated nail guns are ideal for nailing
  wood to concrete, as well as nailing basement
  walls to concrete foundations
• Shot loads of .22 or .27 caliber
  explosives are used
• Powered by gunpowder
  (cordite) in a controlled
  explosion

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What types of nails do they use?

• The nails, or fasteners, are made out of high
  quality steel.
• Some are magazine fed while others are single
  shot powder actuated.
• Direct acting the explosive charge acts directly
  on the nail
• Indirect acting an
• intermediate piston is used

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Why is safety a concern?

• Their operation is very similar to a handgun
• Although equipped with safety features, they can
  become dangerous when not properly used
• The nailing force is significantly more powerful
  than that of a pneumatic nail gun

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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.

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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.

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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

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Related Accidents

• A contractor was rehabbing the office next door
  to the barbershop and using a high-velocity,
  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

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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

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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.

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Procedures to be followed

• Make sure tool operators are qualified
• Tool operators must be able to
• Understand manufacturers insturctions
• Clean the tool properly
• Recognize any visibly worn or damaged parts
• Identify power tool levels
• Operate tool correctly

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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

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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

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Procedures to be followed

• Make sure each tool has a readable, permanent
  label that shows the manufacturers
• Model number
• Unique serial number

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Procedures to be followed

• Make sure powder loads power levels are
  identified as specified by the Powder-Load
  Identification Table
• Use only a powder load that is
• Recommended by the tool manufacturer
• One that provides the same level of safety
  performance

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Procedures to be followed

• Make sure the tool is for the appropriate job
• Make sure operator uses the tool safely
• Inspects the tool before use
• Use the tool as per manufacturers instructions
• Keep tool unloaded until just before using it
• Unload the tool once its use is done
• Never leave it unattended
• Never point it (loaded or unloaded) at any part
  of a persons body

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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

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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

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References

• http//www.homeadditionplus.com/product-reviews-in
  fo/Powder-Actuated-Nail-Guns.htm
• http//www.lni.wa.gov/WISHA/Rules/portablepowertoo
  ls/HTML/296-807-150.htm
• http//www.rentalmanagementmag.com/ARCHIVES/Sorted
  Files/RiskMgt/riskmanagement6-7-00.html

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Thank you be safe!!!