Nail Gun Injuries on Construction Sites
Pneumatic nail guns save time and energy on construction jobs, but these high-powered tools can cause catastrophic and fatal injuries when nail gun accidents happen. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there are close to 40,000 nail gun injuries reported each year in the United States, making nail guns the second most dangerous tool in the construction industry.
Common Causes of A Nail Gun Injury
Construction workers in the United States face a high risk of serious job-related injuries. Framing and sheathing, roofing, exterior siding, carpentry, woodworking, and finishing workers are at the highest risk for a nail gun injury. The most common causes of construction nail gun injuries include:
- Accidental discharge of the nail gun
- Penetration of a nail through a wood surface
- Ricocheting nails
- Misfires and discharge of nails outside of the intended target
- Nail positioning
- Ineffective use of safety mechanisms
- Disabling safety features on a nail gun
- Nail gun operator distraction
- Failure to routinely inspect and maintain nail gun
- Slippery work surfaces
- Slip and falls while using a nail gun
- Lack of proper operator training
- Disregard for safety procedures when using a nail gun
Most nail gun accidents on construction sites can be prevented with attention to safety procedures and with proper training for nail gun operators. Personal protective equipment, such as eye shields, rubber gripped work gloves, and steel toe boots can help reduce the likelihood and severity of nail gun injuries.
Common Types of Nail Gun Injuries
Anytime a nail gun accident occurs, the risk for serious and sometimes fatal injuries is high. A pneumatic nail gun can discharge nails at speeds of 1,400 feet per second. The impact of a nail on a human body is devastating, causing serious and often fatal injuries. The most common types of nail gun injuries include:
- Nails penetrating skin
- Broken bones resulting from nail penetration
- Wound infections
- Eye injuries and blindness
- Mouth and dental injuries
- Sprains related to force or improper handling of a nail gun
- Muscular and skeletal injuries due to high-powered equipment
- Nerve damage and repetitive stress injuries
- Hand injuries, including joint disorders and dislocation of fingers
- Leg and feet injuries
- Spinal injuries and paralysis
- Traumatic brain injury
- Hearing loss
- Burns from overheated equipment and electrical components
Nail gun injuries can be prevented with proper training and attention to safety procedures. Construction company owners and general contractors are mandated by OSHA to provide proper training for their workers, provide personal protective equipment suitable for assigned tasks, and establish safety procedures for operating construction equipment and tools, such as pneumatic nail guns. Failure to comply with these mandates can leave construction company owners liable for negligence.
New Brunswick Construction Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr Help Victims of Nail Gun Injuries Claim Compensation
If you were injured by a nail gun accident on a construction site, call the New Brunswick construction accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr at 877-249-4600 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today. Located in Highland Park, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout New Brunswick, Somerset, Piscataway, Edison, South River, Sayreville, Metuchen, East Brunswick, South Plainfield, Fords, Middlesex, Old Bridge, Iselin, Bound Brook, Perth Amboy, and Colonia.
