# Nail gun safety

URL: https://hardhatbinder.com/en/toolbox-talks/nail-gun-safety
Last updated: 2026-10-23

We run nail guns every day on this job, and that makes it easy to get careless. Nail gun injuries happen fast, often to the hand holding the work or to the person standing nearby. Let's go over the habits that keep everyone's hands and eyes in one piece this week.

## Key points

1. Use a sequential (single-shot) trigger whenever you can, especially for framing, toenailing and work overhead. Bump firing makes double shots and accidental shots much more likely.
2. Keep your finger off the trigger until the nose is on the work and you are ready to fire. Never carry the gun with your finger on the trigger, and never walk or climb a ladder that way.
3. Keep your free hand at least 12 inches away from where you are nailing. Use a clamp to hold small pieces instead of your hand.
4. Never point a nail gun at yourself or anyone else, even as a joke. Treat it like it is always loaded.
5. Disconnect the air hose or remove the battery before you clear a jam, adjust the tool, or hand it to someone. Do not leave a connected gun lying around.
6. Check the tool before you use it: the safety contact tip must work and never be taped or wired down. Keep air pressure at the level the maker recommends, and tag out any gun that is not working right.
7. Wear safety glasses every time, and hearing protection when you're nailing a lot. Watch for knots, metal straps and the edge of the board, where nails can glance off or blow through.

## Talk it over

- Which of our nail guns are set to bump fire right now, and which jobs could we switch to sequential?
- Has anyone had a nail glance off, blow through, or double fire? What was happening at the time?
- Where on this site are we nailing near other workers, like on the other side of a wall or below a deck?

> **Remember:** Finger off the trigger, free hand back, and disconnect before you touch the nose.

## Official sources

- [29 CFR 1926.302](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.302) — Power-operated hand tools

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Source: HardHat Binder, operated by Leadspire LLC. Templates to be reviewed by a competent person before use; not legal advice; not affiliated with OSHA.