Powder Actuated Tool Safety

What Is a Powder Actuated

Tool?
A

nail gun using a .22 caliber gun

shot to propel a nail or other anchor
into a surface
Charges and nails are loaded one at
a time or on automatic strips

Powder Actuated Tool Uses

Fasten

bottom plate to slab

Fasten window blocking to CMU
opening
Fasten furring to structural steel

Fatal Accident
An

employee was fastening

laminated decking to a bridge. He
fired a nail into the decking and it
ricocheted off of a broken nail
already inside the decking and struck
him in the neck and lodged near his
heart.

Fatal Accident
An

employee was using a powder

actuated fastener to fasten track to a
concrete floor. The gun was held at
an angle, and the nail ricocheted off
of the concrete floor and struck him
in the head.

Why Safety is a Concern

High

speed projectile
.22 caliber charges
Explosion
Loud noise
Hard or soft surface

Possible Injuries with a Powder

Actuated Tool
Projectile-

entire body is subject to

injury, including those nearby
Debris- in eye
Noise- ear
Explosion- hands

Safety Recommendations
Be

sure you have both feet firmly

planted before firing
Be sure barrel is squarely positioned
on material to be fired into
Check the material you are firing into
for anything that could interfere with
the nail

Safety Recommendations
PPE,

including eye protection, hard

hat, ear plugs, and gloves
PPE for those within 50 feet of use
Hang up warning signs to keep
others away

Safety Recommendations
Use

the correct charge for your

application
Make sure the material you are firing
into can withstand the nail
Never point the barrel of the nail gun
at anyone

Safety Recommendations
Never

carry unused charges in a

pocket or in the same container as
the nails or other heavy objects
Make sure all charges have been
used before disposing of a multicharge strip or disc

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 powderactuated 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.

Manufacturers Safety
Classes
Major

manufacturers (Remington,
Hilti, Ramset) offer safety instruction
classes
Free of charge, they come to you
Online safety class
To comply with OSHA 1926.302 (e) 1