OSHA Office of Training and Education
29
Fatal Fact
Employee killed when struck in head by a nail fired from a powder actuated tool.
Tool operator was attempting to anchor a plywood form in preparation for pouring a concrete wall
Fatal Facts
A 22-year-old carpenter’s apprentice was killed when he was struck in the head by a nail fired from a powder-actuated nail gun.  The nail gun operator fired the gun while attempting to anchor a plywood concrete form, causing the nail to pass through the hollow form. The nail traveled 27 feet before striking the victim. The nail gun operator had never received training on how to use the tool, and none of the employees in the area was wearing PPE.

In another situation, two workers were building a wall while remodeling a house.  One of the workers was killed when he was struck by a nail fired from a powder-actuated nail gun.  The tool operator who fired the nail was trying to attach a piece of plywood to a wooden stud.  But the nail shot though the plywood and stud, striking the victim.

Below are some OSHA regulations that should have been followed.
• Employees using powder- or pressure-actuated tools must be trained to use them safely.
• Employees who operate powder- or pressure-actuated tools must be trained to avoid firing into easily penetrated materials (like plywood).
• In areas where workers could be exposed to flying nails, appropriate PPE must be used.