19 Mar Handling Powder-Actuated Tools (PATs) Safely
Handling Powder-Actuated Tools (PATs) Safely
Powder-actuated tools (PATs) use an explosive charge to drive fasteners into materials such as concrete, masonry, and steel. Because they operate much like a firearm, improper use can cause serious injury or death. PATs must be treated with the same care and respect as any tool capable of firing a projectile.
Training and Authorization
Only employees who have been properly trained and authorized may operate powder-actuated tools.
- Training must cover the specific type and model of tool being used.
- Operators must understand the manufacturer’s instructions, limitations, and safety requirements.
- Operators must know how to select the correct fastener and powder load for the application.
- Untrained or unauthorized employees must never operate a PAT.
Inspect and Test Before Use
Before using a PAT:
- Inspect the tool for damage, missing components, or improper operation.
- Test the tool each day before loading according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Verify that required guards, shields, and safety devices are installed and functioning.
- Make sure the barrel is free of obstructions.
- Confirm that the correct fastener and powder load are being used.
- Remove defective or malfunctioning tools from service immediately and tag them to prevent use.
Never modify, bypass, or defeat a PAT safety device.
Safe Operating Practices
Treat every powder-actuated tool as though it is loaded.
- Keep the tool pointed in a safe direction at all times.
- Never point a PAT at yourself or another person.
- Load the tool only immediately before use.
- Never leave a loaded tool unattended.
- Do not carry a loaded tool from one work area to another.
- Keep hands and other body parts away from the muzzle.
- Keep unauthorized employees and bystanders away from the work area.
- Hold the tool firmly and perpendicular to the work surface unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise.
- Maintain secure footing and positioning before firing.
- Never engage in horseplay with a PAT.
Know What You Are Fastening Into
Before firing, determine what is on and behind the surface.
Never fire blindly into a wall, floor, ceiling, or other surface without determining whether employees, electrical wiring, piping, utilities, or other hazards could be behind it.
Do not drive fasteners:
- Into excessively hard or brittle materials that may shatter or cause ricochets, such as cast iron, glazed tile, or glass.
- Into easily penetrated materials unless they are backed by a material that will prevent the fastener from passing completely through.
- Into cracked, spalled, or damaged material.
- Into an area where a previous fastener failed unless specifically permitted by the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Too close to an unsupported edge or corner.
Follow the tool manufacturer’s specified minimum edge distances, spacing requirements, and material limitations rather than relying on one distance for every application.
Personal Protective Equipment
Employees operating or working near PATs must wear PPE appropriate for the hazards, including:
- Safety glasses with side protection.
- Additional face protection when flying fragments present a hazard.
- Hearing protection when required by the noise exposure.
- Hard hats, gloves, and other PPE when required by the work environment.
PPE does not replace proper tool operation, guarding, or safe positioning.
Fire and Explosion Hazards
Never use a powder-actuated tool in an explosive, flammable, or combustible atmosphere where firing the tool could ignite vapors, gases, dusts, or other materials.
Evaluate the work area before beginning and control combustible materials and ignition hazards as necessary.
Misfires
If a PAT misfires:
- Keep the tool pointed in a safe direction and firmly against the work surface.
- Do not immediately open or unload the tool.
- Follow the manufacturer’s required waiting period and misfire procedure.
- Carefully remove the unfired load only as instructed by the manufacturer.
- Handle and dispose of misfired or unused powder loads according to the manufacturer’s instructions and company procedures.
Do not improvise a misfire procedure or automatically place cartridges in water unless specifically required by the manufacturer.
Storage
When PATs are not being used:
- Unload the tool before storage.
- Store the tool and powder loads in their designated secure locations.
- Prevent access by unauthorized employees.
- Protect powder loads from heat, impact, moisture, and other conditions specified by the manufacturer.
Remember
Powder-actuated tools operate with explosive force. Only trained and authorized employees may use them. Inspect before use, select the correct load and fastener, know what is behind the surface, and always keep the tool pointed in a safe direction.