Nail gun safety

Before you pick up that nail gun, do you know how to use it safely?

Here are a few common causes of injury that CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training says are related to improper use of nail guns: unintended firing, holding down the contact trigger when the gun isn’t firm against the work surface, ricocheting or airborne nails, nails going through the work surface, and bypassing safety features.

All of these can be avoided.

According to CPWR, here’s how:

• Keep the nail gun pointed away from your body and other workers, especially when the air supply is connected.
• Disconnect the compressed air if you leave a nail gun unattended, move to a new location with it, hand it off to a co-worker or are performing maintenance.
• Don’t reach up and attempt to use the nail gun in a spot you cannot fully see. If you can’t reach the work, use a hammer instead.
• Wear personal protective equipment: safety glasses marked with Z87+, hearing protection and steel-toed footwear.
• Make sure you’re trained on the safe use and handling of a nail gun.