PCBUs are reminded to supervise apprentices and ensure they have the correct information and training to use nail guns safely.

The fourth-year carpentry apprentice spent the night in hospital and underwent surgery to remove the nail after shooting themselves while rising from a kneeling position.

The incident occurred on 6 June 2024 at Tonsley in Adelaide’s southern suburbs.

It was the third nail gun injury to an apprentice reported to SafeWork SA during the 2023/24 financial year.

Most nail gun incidents occur when the gun is in bump fire mode.

This allows nails to be driven into an object by holding the trigger in the firing position and pressing the gun’s contact tip against the workpiece.

Operators are at a higher risk when a nail gun is set in this mode. Carrying a nail gun with the trigger depressed and bumping the contact tip accidentally will fire a nail.

This puts the operator and nearby workers at risk of serious injury.

Safety tips

• Use sequential fire rather than bump fire mode where available as this requires the operator to first depress the tip and then pull the trigger
• Ensure all workers have appropriate training
• Remember that apprentices are relatively inexperienced so ensure they are always properly supervised.

PCBUs are reminded that while bump fire mode is considered more productive, the safety of is workers is the top priority.