OSHA Reminds Carpenters About Dangers of Nail Guns

I have represented many construction companies over the years from representing non-union companies through the Associated Builders and Contractors to serving as counsel to the National Association of Remodeling Industry, Central Ohio Chapter. And since OSHA issues make up a significant part of my practice, this latest reminder from OSHA about the dangers of nail guns hits close to home for me.

According to OSHA, nail guns are used every day on many construction jobs. They boost productivity but also cause tens of thousands of serious injuries each year. Nail gun injuries are common — one study found that 2 out of 5 residential carpenter apprentices experienced a nail gun injury over a four-year period (and I bet that number is much higher for weekend do-it-yourselfers who rent nail guns from the local hardware store). Injuries resulting from use of nail guns hospitalize more construction workers than any other tool-related injury. When they do occur, these injuries are often not reported or given proper medical treatment. Research has identified that the risk of a nail gun injury is twice as high when using a multi-shot contact trigger as when using a single-shot sequential trigger nailer.

If you are around nail guns, you should definitely check out OSHA’s Nail Gun Safety Guide. It’s a quick read with good tips on avoiding nail gun related injuries.

Matt Austin is a Columbus, Ohio employment lawyer who owns Austin Legal, LLC, a boutique law firm with offices in central and northeast Ohio that limits its representation to employers dealing with labor, employment, and OSHA matters. You can email Matt at Austin@LaborEmploymentOSHA.com or call him at 614.285.5342.