Unlike equipment that uses gas or electricity, pneumatic tools are powered by compressed air. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous. Many types of pneumatic hand tools — such as nailing and stapling guns, buffers, grinders, drills, riveters, and jack hammers — can cause serious injury if used carelessly or irresponsibly.
Here are seven important safety tips you should always follow when using pneumatic tools:
- Read and understand the manual — Pneumatic tools are highly engineered precision instruments. Understanding the features and functions of your tools will help you use them more efficiently and safely. For example, by reading the manual for the FASCO® F20A 92-32 Stapler, you would know that the tool has a quick-release nose for swiftly clearing jams.
- Wear protective gear — Any time you are working with construction equipment, you must wear proper protective gear. This is especially true with pneumatic tools because they have enough power to launch projectiles at great speed. Goggles, gloves, and protective boots should be worn while operating pneumatic tools such as nailers, sanders, staplers, or riveters.
- Understand the trigger mechanism — After reading the manual, you should have a basic understanding of your tool’s trigger mechanism. Field test the device in a safe, unpopulated location to get a feel for the trigger’s action. Depending on the type of trigger, it may fire a single nail or sequential fasteners with a single pull.
- Use recommended air pressure only — Consult your tool’s manual to find out its CFM (cubic feet per minute, or airflow) rating and pounds per square inch (psi). Using a higher air pressure than recommended can lead to malfunctions and possible injury.
- Respect the tool — Tools driven by compressed air are powerful and effective. They are not toy tools and should never be treated that way. Respect pneumatic tools and use them for their intended purpose to reduce the risk of injury to yourself or others.
- Disconnect when not in use — Pneumatic tools should always be disconnected when not in use to prevent accidental discharge and injury.
- Store properly — Keep your tools in a dry and safe place that’s inaccessible to small children who might think of them as toys rather than potentially dangerous objects.
No matter the job your construction crew is taking on, chances are you’re going to use a pneumatic nailer or stapler. These amazing tools can save you time and money — just make sure you’re careful and remember to wear proper safety equipment. FASCO®, a member of the BECK Group, offers air-driven tools, such as the F20 and F30 line of staplers and bradder that are built with intuitive features designed to help you get the job done quickly and safely.