October 3, 2011

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health have developed a new guidance document, Nail Gun Safety—A Guide for Construction Contractors, to help construction employers and workers prevent work-related nail gun injuries. 

"Nail gun injuries are responsible for about 37,000 emergency room visits annually," says OSHA Assistant Secretary of Labor David Michaels. "In some cases, workers have died from their injuries. This document will help construction employers make necessary changes to improve nail gun safety and protect their workers from preventable injuries and death." 

Construction workers, particularly those in residential construction, use nail guns nearly every day. Although nail guns are easy to operate and increase productivity, there have been reports of internal and external bodily injuries. These injuries can result from unintended nail discharge; nails that bounce off a hard surface or miss the work piece and become airborne; and disabling the gun's safety features, among other causes. Injury prevention is possible if contractors take steps such as using full sequential trigger nail guns; establishing nail gun work procedures; and providing workers with personal protective equipment. 

To view the guidance document, click here.