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611 Nail Gun Safety
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Ergonomic Hazards

Framing nail guns can weigh up to 8 pounds and many framing jobs require workers to hold and use nail guns for long periods of time while working in awkward postures.

Workers using nail guns in awkward postures and extended reach can suffer from ergonomic injuries.

Using nail guns for tasks that require awkward postures is likely the cause for most ergonomic injuries.

Holding an 8-pound weight for long periods of time can also lead to musculoskeletal disorder (MSDs) symptoms such as soreness or tenderness in the fingers, wrist, or forearm tendons or muscles. These symptoms can progress to pain, or in the most severe cases, inability to work.

If using nail guns is causing musculoskeletal pain or symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders, medical care should be sought.

The probability and severity of ergonomic injuries while using nail guns may be eliminated or reduced by:

  • revising the procedure's requirements (duration, frequency, force, etc.)
  • replacing the worker or helping the worker to be better able to do the task; and
  • redesigning or replacing the nail guns needed to do the job

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

3-9. What is the most likely cause of ergonomics injuries while using nail guns?