

Pneumatic nail guns are common tools in residential construction. The tools allow increased productivity, but also create serious injury risks. They are typically energized by air pressure supplied by a compressor, requiring a hose from the compressor to the gun. The tools are then loaded with magazines of nails joined together. Framing nailers are capable of driving 3.5 inch nails into dense wood in less than a 10th of a second!
The two most common triggering mechanisms on these tools are contact trip and sequential triggers. The more popular contact trip design allows nails to be discharged from the tool anytime the nose and the trigger mechanism are both depressed. Workers are able to hold the trigger down and do rapid fire “bounce” nailing to speed up progress. The sequential design requires that the nose be depressed before the trigger in order to discharge a nail, making it more difficult to unintentionally discharge nails because the trigger has to be pressed every time a nail is discharged.
Most nail gun injuries occur when the gun is equipped with a contact trip trigger. Contact trip triggers allow the gun to discharge a nail anytime the gun’s nose piece and the trigger are pressed, so the user can hold the trigger down and bump fire the gun repeatedly by simply pushing down on the nose piece rather than repeatedly pressing the trigger. Carpenters prefer using contact trip triggers because they are faster and do not require the repetitive movement of pulling the trigger. However, contact trip triggers also make it much easier for the operator to accidently shoot themselves or anyone standing close by if the nose piece bumps up against someone or something while the trigger is depressed. Injuries often occur when climbing up and down ladders while holding a nail gun with a finger on the trigger.
ALERT: The two types of nail guns look exactly alike, so workers often cannot tell the difference between the contact trip and sequential triggers. A number of manufacturers now have models that allow the triggering mechanism to switch back and forth from contact or sequential, which can also be confusing.
Because of the dangerous nature of these tools, it is important to be trained in safe handling practices before using them. The facts contained in this Hazard Alert will give you basic information, good work practices, and helpful resources to prevent injuries.
GENERAL SAFETY GUIDELINES:
Pneumatic nail guns are extremely helpful tools, but must be treated with respect and handled carefully in order to reap the benefits! Injury will slow a job down much more significantly than any safety measure ever could.
A Real Workforce Hazard
Compressed gas cylinders pose an ever-present threat to workers who use them. Dangers associated with damage to cylinders containing compressed gases include oxygen displacement, fires, explosions, and toxin exposures, as well as the physical hazards associated with high pressure systems. Special storage, use, and handling precautions are necessary in order to control these hazards.
Compressed gas and equipment safety measures are addressed with specific standards for particular environments including the general industry, shipyard employment, marine terminals, and the construction industry. Each compressed gas cylinder is a sleeping giant which must be used, maintained, and handled with great care. Some of the most noteworthy recommendations and regulations are described below.
Best Practices
The following are general precautions that should be observed when handling any compressed gas cylinder:
State and local building and fire codes will apply to the installation and storage of compressed gases. The following information covers some of the major requirements for the storage of compressed gases.
Hazards of Industrial Gases
There are certain properties, hazards and precautions associated with each of the major industrial gases, as well as mixtures of same. These gases are: Acetylene, Air, Argon, Carbon Dioxide, Helium, Nitrogen, Nitrous Oxide, Oxygen, and Propane. Each of these gases has at least one of the following hazards:
It is the responsibility of the employer to be certain that all employees using a gas are familiar with its specific properties and are properly trained to handle that gas. Proper labeling, handling and storage of compressed gas cylinders are imperative in order to prevent personal and property damage and to ensure overall workforce safety!