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810 Hand and Power Tool Safety
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Powder-Actuated Tools

When using powder-actuated tools to apply fasteners, several additional procedures must be followed:

  • Do not fire fasteners into soft materials unless such materials are backed by a substance that will prevent the pin or fastener from passing completely through and creating a flying missile hazard on the opposite side.
  • Do not drive fasteners into very hard or brittle materials such as cast iron, glazed tile, surface-hardened steel, glass block, live rock, face brick, or hollow tile.
  • Always use an alignment guide when shooting fasteners into existing holes.
  • Do not drive a fastener into a spalled area caused by an unsatisfactory fastening.
  • When using a high-velocity tool, do not drive fasteners more than 3 in. (7.62 cm) from an unsupported edge or corner of material such as brick or concrete.
  • When using a high-velocity tool, do not place fasteners in steel any closer than 1/2 in. (1.27 cm) from an unsupported corner edge unless a special guard, fixture, or jig is used.

Check out this great Ramset Powder Actuated Tool Licensing course.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

6-8. What safety precaution must you take when firing a fastener into soft material?