Nail Guns
Nail guns cause tens of thousands of emergency room visits every year. Most injuries are to the hands and fingers, and many involve contact-trigger tools that fire unexpectedly.
- Construction
Photo: framing nailer, with the trigger type marked on the tool
Know your trigger
| Trigger type | How it fires | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Full sequential (safest) | Press the nose against the work first, then pull the trigger. Must release both to fire again. | Lowest |
| Single sequential / single actuation | Nose first, then trigger; trigger must be released before the next shot. | Low |
| Contact / bump trigger | Holding the trigger down, each bump of the nose fires a nail. | About twice the injury risk |
NIOSH and OSHA recommend full sequential triggers, especially for new workers.
Common causes of injury
- Double-fire from recoil with contact triggers
- Firing when bumping a leg or another surface while carrying the tool with the trigger squeezed
- Nails passing through the workpiece or ricocheting off knots, metal or hard surfaces
- Nails missing the framing and flying through the air
- Holding the work too close to the nail location
- Bypassing safety features (taping the trigger, removing springs)
Safe use
- Get training before using a nail gun.
- Keep your hands at least 12 inches from the nailing point. Use clamps.
- Carry the tool with your finger off the trigger.
- Disconnect the air or battery when clearing jams, making adjustments or leaving the tool.
- Don’t nail toward yourself or others, and never point the tool at anyone.
- Wear safety glasses (Z87+) and hearing protection.
- Check lumber for knots and metal before nailing.
If you’re hit: don’t pull out a nail that has penetrated deeply, especially near the eye, chest or abdomen. Get medical help right away. Many nail injuries are more serious than they look on X-ray.
Video: sequential vs. contact trigger demonstration
Standards & references
- OSHA/NIOSH: Nail Gun Safety: A Guide for Construction Contractors
- 29 CFR 1926.302(b): Pneumatic power tools
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