Subchapter 4. Construction Safety Orders
Article 28. Miscellaneous Construction Tools and Equipment

§1704. Pneumatically Driven Nailers and Staplers.

(a) Definitions.

(1) Light-Duty Nailers and Staplers: Tools designed to only drive fasteners meeting both of these requirements:

(A) Fasteners 1-inch nominal length or shorter.

(B) Fasteners made from wire with cross sectional area less than 18 ASWG.

(2) Mode of actuation: The use of a trigger, workpiece contact and/or other operating control, separately or in some combination or sequence, to actuate the tool. Modes of actuation include "bump fire" and sequential modes.

(b) General.

(1) All pneumatically-driven nailers and staplers shall have a safety device on the muzzle to prevent the tool from operating unless the muzzle is in contact with the work surface, to prevent accidental discharge.

Exception: Light-Duty Nailers and Staplers.Light-Duty Nailers and Staplers.

(2) All pneumatically-driven nailers and staplers shall be operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's operating and safety instructions.

(3) Personal protective equipment shall be utilized in accordance with Construction Safety Orders Section 1514.

(4) Operating controls shall not be removed, tampered with, altered, or otherwise disabled.

(5) Pneumatically-driven nailers and staplers shall be connected to the air supply with a safety disconnect that consists of a spring loaded shut-off valve and a positive locking mechanism to prevent the tool from becoming accidentally disconnected.

(6) Tools shall be equipped with a fitting that will discharge all compressed air in the tool at the time the fitting or hose coupling is disconnected.

(c) Pneumatically-driven nailers and staplers shall be disconnected from the air supply at the tool when:

(1) performing any maintenance or repair on the tool, or

(2) clearing a jam.

(d) On roofs sloped steeper than 7:12 the air hose shall be secured at roof level in such a manner as to provide ample, but not excessive, amounts of hose.

(e) All pneumatic hoses exceeding 1/2-inch inside diameter shall have a safety device at the source of supply or branch line to reduce pressure in case of hose failure.

(f) The employer's written Code of Safe Practices shall include provisions for the use of pneumatically-driven nailers and staplers where applicable.

(g) Training.

(1) The requirements of this Section shall apply in addition to training required by Construction Safety Orders, Section 1509, and General Industry Safety Orders, Section 3203(a)(7).

(2) Safety training shall be conducted prior to initial assignment to operate pneumatically-driven nailers or staplers.

(3) Refresher training shall be provided to the operator when:

(A) The operator has been observed using the pneumatically-driven nailer or stapler in an unsafe manner; or

(B) The operator has been involved in an accident.

(4) Safety training shall include, but not be limited to, the following elements:

(A) The employer's Code of Safe Practices for pneumatically-driven nailers or staplers.

(B) The hazards related to each mode of actuation for pneumatically-driven nailers and staplers.

(C) Hands-on training to verify that the operator understands the operating and safety instructions.

(5) Training shall be conducted by a qualified person.

<General Materials (GM) - References, Annotations, or Tables>

   Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

 HISTORY 

   

1. Amendment of subsection (a) filed 1-7-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 75, No. 2).

2. Amendment filed 1-13-87; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 87, No. 4).

3. Amendment of section heading and section filed 10-31-2007; operative 11-30-2007 (Register 2007, No. 44).