SafeWork SA recently issued a safety alert about the use of nail guns following an incident in which an apprentice inadvertently shot themselves in the thigh with a nail gun and was hospitalised.
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.
It was the third nail gun injury to an apprentice reported to SafeWork SA during the 2023/24 financial year.
The alert reminded PCBUs to supervise apprentices and ensure they have the correct information and training to use nail guns safely.
Most nail gun incidents occur when the gun is in bump fire mode, according to the alert, which said 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 will accidentally fire a nail. This puts the operator and nearby workers at risk of serious injury,” said the alert, which recommended a number of 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.