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611 Nail Gun Safety
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Things You Should Not Do With a Nail Gun

Bypassing, removing, or otherwise tampering nail gun safety features is strictly prohibited.

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Tampering includes removing the spring from the safety-contact tip and/or tying down, taping or securing the trigger so it does not need to be pressed. It increases the chance the nail gun will fire unintentionally both for the current user and anyone else who may use it.

Workers should keep their fingers off the trigger when holding or carrying a nail gun. If this is not natural, workers should use a full sequential nail gun or even set down the nailer until they need to use it again.

Personal Protective Equipment

OSHA typically requires safety shoes, which help protect workers' toes from nail gun injuries, on residential construction sites.

Employers should also provide, at no cost to employees, the following protective equipment for workers using nail guns:

  • hard hats
  • high impact eye protection, such as safety glasses or goggles marked ANSI Z87.1
  • hearing protection (either earplugs or earmuffs)

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

2-5. When carrying a nail gun, make sure you _____.