11 Feb Powder-Actuated Hand Tools

Powder-Actuated Hand Tools

Whenever you operate powder-actuated hand tools, safe work practices must always be followed. These tools are designed to fire nails or fastening devices into material not easily penetrated such as concrete, steel, and masonry. Unfortunately, they have also been known to fire nails and fastening devices into human flesh.

• Only qualified persons who have been trained and certified by an authorized instructor should use a powder-actuated tool!
• Persons using the tools should always have their certification card with them.

GENERAL SAFETY RULES FOR powder-actuated hand tools:

• A powder-actuated tool must never be pointed at anyone, whether it is loaded or not!
• A powder-actuated tool should never be loaded until it is ready to be used for fastening.
• The tool should be tested each day prior to use, to assure that safety devices and the tool itself are in proper working condition.
• Any defective or poorly working tool should be immediately removed from service and tagged as unsafe.
• Always wear proper protective equipment when operating powder-actuated tools.

• ANSI-approved eye protection must be worn to guard against possible ricocheting materials.
• Hearing protection must also be worn.

• Powder-actuated tools should not be used in areas where flammable or combustible atmospheres may be present. The combination could cause an explosion.
• When operating a powder-actuated tool, press the tool firmly against the surface into which the fastening device is being driven, so the fastener will not glance off the surface.
• Never drive a fastener into a “spalled” or chipped surface, i.e., over an uneven area where a previous fastening was unsatisfactory.
• Do not drive fasteners into easily penetrated material unless that material is backed by an object that will prevent the fastener from passing completely through the material and creating a flying missile hazard on the other side.

– Never shoot into a surface unless you are certain it will contain the fastener. Take whatever time is necessary to examine both the surface and the opposite side, assuring your safety as well as the safety of others.

Safe operation of powder-actuated tools demands knowledge and the operator’s constant alertness. Too many innocent workers have been fatally injured when safety practices were disregarded.

Therefore, before each use of a powder-actuated tool, a complete study of the job task should be assessed and total concentration should be on the job task to be performed.

Powder-actuated tools are only as safe as their operators! WORK SAFELY!