Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
must.be.operated.only.by.specially.trained.employees..All.employees.who.operate.
powder-actuated.tools.must.be.trained.in.their.use.and.carry.a.valid.operator's.card..
Safety.precautions.to.remember.include.the.following:
.
1.. These.tools.should.not.be.used.in.an.explosive.or.lammable.atmosphere.
.
2.. Before. using. the. tool,. the. worker. should. inspect. it. to. determine. that. it. is.
clean,.that.all.moving.parts.operate.freely,.and.that.the.barrel.is.free.from.
obstructions.
.
3.. The.tool.should.never.be.pointed.at.anybody.
.
4.. The.tool.should.not.be.loaded.unless.it.is.to.be.used.immediately..A.loaded.
tool.should.not.be.left.unattended,.especially.where.it.would.be.available.to.
unauthorized.persons.
.
5.. Hands.should.be.kept.clear.of.the.barrel.end..To.prevent.the.tool.from.iring.
accidentally,.two.separate.motions.are.required.for.iring:.one.to.bring.the.
tool.into.position.and.another.to.pull.the.trigger..The.tools.must.not.be.able.
to.operate.until.they.are.pressed.against.the.work.surface.with.a.force.of.at.
least.5.pounds.greater.than.the.total.weight.of.the.tool.
.
6.. If.a.powder-actuated.tool.misires,.the.employee.should.wait.at.least.30.sec-
onds.and.then.try.iring.it.again..If.it.still.will.not.ire,.the.user.should.wait.
another.30.seconds.so.that.the.faulty.cartridge.is.less.likely.to.explode,.and.
then.carefully.remove.the.load..The.bad.cartridge.should.be.put.in.water.
.
7.. Suitable.eye.and.face.protection.are.essential.when.using.a.powder-actuated.
tool.
.
8.. The.muzzle.end.of.the.tool.must.have.a.protective.shield.or.guard.centered.
perpendicularly.on.the.barrel.to.conine.any.lying.fragments.or.particles.
that.might.otherwise.create.a.hazard.when.the.tool.is.ired..The.tool.must.
be.designed.so.that.it.will.not.ire.unless.it.has.this.kind.of.safety.device.
.
9.. All. powder-actuated. tools. must. be. designed. for. varying. powder. charges.
so.that.the.user.can.select.a.powder.level.necessary.to.do.the.work.without.
excessive.force.
.
10.. If.the.tool.develops.a.defect.during.use,.it.should.be.tagged.and.taken.out.of.
service.immediately.until.it.is.properly.repaired.
When.using.powder-actuated.tools.to.apply.fasteners,.there.are.some.precautions.to.
consider..Fasteners.must.not.be.ired.into.material.that.would.let.them.pass.through.to.
the.other.side..The.fastener.must.not.be.driven.into.materials.such.as.brick.or.concrete.
any.closer.than.3.inches.to.an.edge.or.corner..In.steel,.the.fastener.must.not.come.any.
closer.than.
1
/
2
.inch.from.a.corner.or.edge..Fasteners.must.not.be.driven.into.very.hard.
or.brittle.materials.that.might.chip,.splatter,.or.make.the.fastener.ricochet..An.align-
ment.guide.must.be.used.when.shooting.a.fastener.into.an.existing.hole..A fastener.
must.not.be.driven.into.a.spalled.area.caused.by.an.unsatisfactory.fastening.
Each. powder-actuated. tool. must. be. stored. in. its. own. locked. container. when.
not. being. used.. A. sign. at. least. 7. inches. by. 10. inches. with. boldface. type. reading.
“POWDER-.OR.EXPLOSIVE-ACTUATED.TOOL.IN.USE”.should.be.posted.con-
spicuously.when.the.tool.is.being.used..Powder-actuated.tools.are.to.be.left.unloaded.
until. they. are. actually. ready. for. use.. Powder-actuated. tools. must. be. inspected. for.
