John Knight, CHST, CSP
Safety Advisor
Safety Management Group
Construction workers are generally not allowed to bring shotguns or handguns to jobsites for obvious reasons. Beyond concerns about workplace violence, there’s the realization that accidentally discharging a firearm on a worksite can have grave consequences.
Yet many worksites and workplaces actually require workers to use weapons that are every bit as deadly. But instead of referring to them as weapons, we call them “powder-actuated tools” and “nail guns.”
Does that sound farfetched? It isn’t. Take powder-actuated tools that are used to drive fasteners into masonry and other materials. In essence, they are firearms that are modified to serve a construction purpose. Fire the device, and a live round detonates with enough force to drive a projectile through an object. It’s very similar to loading a bullet into a gun and pulling the trigger.
Preplanning and training are the keys to using powder-actuated tools safely. Before a contractor brings a tool in the site, discuss how it is going to be used, the potential hazards that will be created, and the steps that will be taken to control the environment. Nearby areas may need to be barricaded, because there have been instances of fasteners shooting through walls and killing or injuring people on the other side.
Other potential dangers include not holding the tool perpendicular to the surface. This can be a particular problem when the guards at the end of the tool have been removed or modified by users. If the device is not perpendicular, the fastener can become a deadly projectile. The surface itself should be evaluated to ensure that the fastener can penetrate it without shattering or splintering. Proper hearing, face and eye protection are needed, too.
One danger many workers don’t think about is what happens to unused or misfired rounds. Often, several rounds come on a single strip. If there is a misfire, or if the worker doesn’t use all the rounds, he may just discard the strip. Those unused rounds are essentially live ammunition, and unsuspecting workers who are handling materials or using heavy equipment in the area could accidentally discharge them. Be sure workers know the procedures for proper disposal of both live and spent rounds.
Nail gun accidents are the stuff of legend. I’m sure you’ve seen emailed x-rays of workers whose nail guns fired large nails into their jaws or skulls. Instead of using live rounds, most nail guns use bursts of compressed air to fire the nail into the surface.
Safe operation requires that all the components be kept in good condition and held properly. It’s important to regularly check the two actions – the loading mechanism and the trigger that fires the gun. Workers should also verify that guards and safety equipment are in place and are in good working order. Sometimes, workers will modify the actuators or other parts to make the guns fire more quickly. If the gun isn’t held perpendicular to the work surface, the nails can deflect off the surface and fly in any direction.
As with any kind of tools, one of the biggest dangers is complacency. When workers are so accustomed to using a particular tool that they start to neglect basic safety practices, they set the stage for an accident. It’s important to ensure that a competent person is monitoring the use of the tools and pointing out any deficiencies to the user. Experience alone does not ensure safe handling.