How to Safely Use a Nail Gun
Nail guns can be very dangerous if you don't develop safe work habits. According to the Work Safe Bulletin, accidents with nail guns are on the rise. While most of the reported injuries are to the hands and fingers, mortal wounds to the head and chest are being seen more and more. Rushed workers are the main cause of these accidents because they tend to leave their finger on the trigger as they move from shot to shot. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Read the instruction manual completely before using a nail gun. Various tools have different operating procedures and built-in safety measures. For example, repeating nail guns that drive a continuous stream of nails with one-trigger depression can help workers move quickly along a wide surface, but carry additional precautions that you must be aware of before starting the job.
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2
Wear safety goggles when using a nail gun. Goggles protect you from flying wood chips, metal slivers and snap-back bumps from the power of the nail gun. Protect your hearing from continuous exposure to the loud noises of a nail gun with earbuds.
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3
Release the trigger between every nail. Some nail guns allow you to keep the trigger depressed while moving, but recommend against it. Make it a habit to only apply pressure to the trigger when the gun is pressed against the desired surface.
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4
Clear the area behind the surface on which you are shooting the nails. The force of the gun can shoot the nail through weak surfaces. Maintain a clear area of at least 6 feet surrounding you while using a nail gun to avoid any contact with others. Accidental bumps and distractions from fellow workers can be avoided if you refuse to nail with others nearby.
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Disconnect the nail gun when you're not using it. Make sure there is no power to the gun while you're clearing out stuck nails or performing any maintenance on the tool. Check the nail gun after every use to make sure it's free of any loose screws and stuck nails so it will be ready to go the next time you use it.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose a sequential nail gun that requires you to release the trigger between every nail, versus a contact trip nail gun that shoots the nail when the tip of the gun touches a surface.
Never tape the trigger down on a nail. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration prohibits the practice on commercial job sites because of the inherent dangers.
