Key points
- Nail guns are a leading cause of injury among residential carpenters.
- Employers and workers can take steps to prevent nail gun injuries.
- Seek medical attention immediately after a nail gun injury.
The dangers
Nail guns are commonly used in wood frame construction. They are powerful, easy to operate and boost productivity for nailing tasks.
Nail guns are a leading cause of injury among residential carpenters. They are responsible for about 37,000 emergency room visits each year, of which 60% are work-related. Puncture wounds to the hands and fingers are most common, but more serious injuries and deaths occur using nail guns.
All nail guns have the potential to cause serious injury. Using a nail gun with a bump or automatic trigger (also known as contact trip trigger) can cause unintended nail discharge. Other risks include lack of training, working fast, and keeping the trigger squeezed when not nailing. Using a nail gun with a single shot or full sequential trigger reduces the risk of injury.
Instructions and tips
Workers can talk to their employer about nail gun safety and prevention. Employers can take several steps to prevent nail gun injuries. To learn more, refer to Nail Gun Safety: A Guide for Construction Contractors.
- Use full sequential trigger nail guns.
- Provide training.
- Establish nail gun work procedures.
- Provide personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Encourage reporting and discussion of injuries and close calls.
Employers and workers should also seek medical attention immediately after nail gun injuries. This includes hand injuries that appear to be minimal.
Nail gun safety video
Resources
Straight Talk About Nail Gun Safety - en Español
Nail Gun Safety: A Guide for Construction Contractors - en Español
Nail Gun Safety – Occupational Safety & Health Administration
See the NIOSHTIC-2 database search results on nail guns. NIOSHTIC-2 is a database of occupational safety and health publications funded in whole or in part by NIOSH.