On construction sites, nail guns are used regularly to enhance productivity. If used improperly, however, a nail gun can cause serious injuries, landing a worker in the hospital. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nail guns are responsible for approximately 37,000 emergency room visits each year. It is estimated that nearly 70 percent of these injuries involve workers.
Injuries caused by use of a nail gun hospitalize more construction workers than any other tool-related injury. When it comes to nail gun injuries, the user is not the only person at risk. Co-workers and other people on the construction site can be injured by a nail gun if the user does not properly handle the tool.
Encourage workers to follow these tips from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for proper nail gun use:
- Hold and carry the nail gun with your finger OFF the trigger
- Keep co-workers out of your line of fire
- Disconnect the hose before you clear a nail jam
- Shoot the bottom nail first when fastening a stud to a plate
- Know where the studs or joists are when shooting plywood or oriented strand board (OSB)
- Keep your free hand, not holding the gun, as far from the nailing location as possible (12 inches or more is best)
- Use extra care when toe nailing, nailing in tight spaces, from a ladder or with the gun above your head
- Allow space for nail gun recoil (kickback) and don’t try to stop or fight this recoil
- Use your dominant hand to operate a nail gun
Protect Your Workers
Employers can protect their workers and prevent nail gun injuries from occurring by providing training, using full sequential trigger nail guns and putting nail gun work procedures in place. Always provide workers with proper personal protective equipment and, in the event that a nail gun injury does occur, be prepared to help with first aid.
Amerisure encourages all employers to become fully educated on the dangers of operating a nail gun and the best ways to protect workers from getting injured.
