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Nail gun injuries among construction workers
John M Dement1, Hester Lipscomb, Leiming Li
1Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
|May 15, 2003
Summary
Nail gun injuries are common in construction, particularly among carpenters. Many injuries, like nail punctures to the hand, result from accidental discharges and can be prevented with sequential triggers and better worker training.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Construction Safety
- Injury Epidemiology
Background:
- Pneumatic nail guns are essential tools in wood frame construction, boosting productivity.
- Existing literature on nail gun injuries is limited, primarily consisting of case reports.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of nail gun-associated injuries in construction workers.
- To identify work-related factors contributing to these injuries and explore prevention strategies.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 13,347 Ohio carpenters was matched with workers' compensation claims (1994-1997).
- North Carolina Home Builders Association member claims (1996-1999) were analyzed for nail gun injuries.
- Injury data were stratified by nature, body part, and analyzed using free text descriptions.
Main Results:
- Nail gun injuries accounted for 3.9% of workers' compensation claims, with 8.3%-25.5% involving lost work time.
- Injury rates were 0.33 per 200,000 work hours in NC and 0.26 in OH.
- Hands/fingers were the most common injury site (80-89% nail punctures), often occurring during framing/sheathing (approx. 70%).
Conclusions:
- Approximately 69% of nail puncture injuries may stem from accidental gun discharge, highlighting the importance of sequential triggers.
- Worker training and education are crucial for preventing nail gun injuries in the construction industry.