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611 Nail Gun Safety
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Establish Nail Gun Best Practices

Contractors should develop their own nail gun work rules and procedures to address risk factors and make the work as safe as possible.

If a positive placement nailer is not positioned correctly, it could cause a struck-by injury.

Examples of topics for contractor work procedures include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Make sure tool manuals for the nailers are always available on the job site.
  • Make sure manufacturer tool labels and instructions are understood and followed.
  • Check tools and power sources before operating to make sure they are working properly.
  • Take defective nail guns out of service immediately.
  • Set up operations so that workers are not in the line of fire from nail guns being operated by co-workers.
  • Check lumber surfaces before nailing. Look for knots, nails, straps, hangers, etc. that could cause recoil or ricochet.
  • Use a hammer or positive placement nailer when nailing metal joinery or irregular lumber.
  • For placement work, keep hands at least 12 inches away from the nailing point at all times. Consider using clamps to brace instead of your hands.
  • Always shoot nail guns away from your body and away from co-workers.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

2-3. Which of the following is a best practice while using a nail gun?