Perspectives of residential contractors on nail gun safety

Perspectives on nail gun safety were sought from residential contractors as part of an injury surveillance and prevention effort (2005-2008). Anonymous surveys inquired about tool use, training, injury risk, and awareness of the 2003 American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard calling for shipment of pneumatic nail guns used in wood framing with sequential actuation. Despite some awareness of inexperience, lack of training, speed and tool design in injury causation, 55 percent consistently reported injuries resulted from worker carelessness. Contractors reported safety experiences of their employees were considerably better than those of other residential contractors. After five years, only 16 percent reported any awareness of the voluntary standard. These findings raise questions as to what gains can realistically be expected from passage of voluntary standards such as the one described here. Given that the epidemiology of acute injuries from pneumatic nail guns is now well-described, the safer sequential trigger should be required to protect workers.