810 Hand and Power Tool Safety

Nail Guns

Nail guns are powerful, easy to operate, and boost productivity for nailing tasks. About two-thirds of these injuries occur in framing and sheathing work. Injuries also often occur in roofing and exterior siding and finishing.

Injuries resulting from the use of nail guns hospitalize more construction workers than any other tool-related injury.

• More than half of reported nail gun injuries are to the hand and fingers.
• One quarter of these hand injuries involve structural damage to tendons, joints, nerves, and bones.
• After hands, the next most often injured are the leg, knee, thigh, foot, and toes.
• Less common are injuries to the forearm or wrist, head and neck, and trunk.
• Serious nail gun injuries to the spinal cord, head, neck, eye, internal organs, and bones have been reported.
• Injuries have resulted in paralysis, blindness, brain damage, bone fractures, and death.

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