§ 29.55. Safety precautions.
(a) Protective shield. Powder-actuated tools shall not be used without an approved protective shield or muzzle attachment appropriate for the particular tool and designed to confine flying particles and minimize the possibility of ricocheting of studs, pins, or fragmentation. Only those tools shall be used which cannot be fired without the protective shield, muzzle attachment, or guard in proper place.
(b) Special protective shield. When a standard shield or guard cannot be used, or when it does not cover all apparent avenues through which flying particles might escape, a special approved shield or guard fixture of the jig, designed and built by the manufacturer of the tool being used to provide this degree of protection, shall be used as a substitute.
(c) Cartridge container. Cartridges of varied charges or force shall be kept separate from each other, and all cartridges shall be kept in original packages completely separated from other contents of the container.
(d) Misfired cartridges. Misfired cartridges shall be kept in a separate container immersed in oil or water. They shall be removed from the job site and disposed of each day.
(e) Tool position. The tool shall be perpendicular to the material being penetrated at the time of firing, except when protected in accordance with subsections (a) and (b).
(f) Type of materials. Projectiles, pins, studs or fasteners shall not be driven into very hard or brittle material including, but not limited to, cast iron, glazed tile, hardened steel, glass block, live rock, fire brick, or hollow tile. Easily pierced material or materials of unknown resistance to piercing shall be backed by a substance that prevents the projectile, stud, pin, or fastener from passing completely through to the other side. No fastening shall be attempted into a spalled area caused by an unsatisfactory fastening.
(g) Tool handling. When loading, tools shall be handled in a similar manner to the handling of firearms. Hands should be clear of the open barrel end pointed away from workers and other persons at all times. No unattended tool shall be allowed to remain loaded when not in actual use. No tool shall be loaded unless being prepared for immediate use and, while loaded, such tool shall be kept under the immediate and direct control of the operator.
(h) Alignment guide. Pins or studs shall not be driven through existing holes, unless a protective guide is used to secure accurate alignment.
(i) Inspection. Before using a tool the operator shall inspect it to determine that it is clean, that all moving parts operate freely and that the barrel is free from obstruction. The breech plug, barrel and its receptacle shall be examined after each firing to locate and remove any foreign material such as pieces of projectile, pins, fastener, stud, flang, cartridge or other fragmentation.
(j) Explosive charge. The projectile, pin, stud, fastener, charge and breech plug, shall be prescribed by the manufacturer of the tool for the work to be done and in no event shall the power be such that the projectile, pin, stud, or fastener penetration is beyond that which is prescribed by the manufacturer for the particular job.
(k) Explosive atmosphere. Powder-actuated tools shall not be used in an explosive or flammable atmosphere.
(l) Protection. Qualified operators and assistants using powder-actuated tools shall be provided with and shall wear approved-type eye protection while using such tools as well as approved head protection when there are obvious hazards from falling objects.
(m) Maintenance. Each tool shall be inspected, cleaned, and stored in a safe place with the barrel removed, whenever practical, after each day of use. Immediately upon discovery of any defect in a tool, whether caused by excessive wear or otherwise, the tool shall be removed from service and may not again be used until it has been examined, repaired and approved by a competent representative of the manufacturer. An accurate record of each inspection shall be entered in a report book. The book shall always be kept available for inspection by the duly authorized representative of the Department.
(n) Warning sign. A sign, at least 8 inches by 11 inches using bold faced type no less than 1 inch in height, shall be posted in plain sight of all construction projects where the tools are used at all points of access and within a distance of no less than 50 feet, the sign to read ‘‘Warning—Powder-actuated tools in use within 50 feet.’’ Manufacturers of flip-open type powder-actuated fastener tools shall prepare appropriate warning stickers of the self-adhering type no less than 3 inches by 4 inches. The warning sticker shall conform with the following illustration:
(o) Warning requirements. Each manufacturer may, at his option, substitute a tool resembling his model in place of the model tool drawn into the illustration of subsection (n). The manufacturer shall permit no variances from this warning. The warning stickers shall be placed on the tool box in a conspicuous place inside or outside the box and inserted on all instruction books and service manuals. A question shall be added to the examination of the instructor referring to this requirement. Licensed instructors shall enforce this provision and apprise the training operator of the requirements of this section when demonstrating the tool.
(p) Use of projectiles. Tools shall not be used to fire pins, studs, fasteners, or other projectiles for any purpose except as the objects are specifically designed and specified by the manufacturer.
(q) Misfire. If a misfire occurs, the operator shall continue to hold the muzzle of the tool against the work in operating position for not less than 30 seconds, and while holding the tool in such position, the operator shall remove the power load. Misfired cartridges or cartridges which fail to explode shall be deposited in a special container for such purpose in accordance with subsection (d) and no attempt shall be made to explode or in any manner use any such cartridge or cartridges.
(r) Testing. Each powder-actuated tool shall be tested each day before loading to see that safety devices are in proper working condition. The tests shall be made only by a holder of a qualified operator’s license. Tools found with defective parts shall be removed from service immediately and shall not again be used until proper repairs have been completed after following the procedure outlined in subsection (t).
(s) Distance. Studs or pins shall not be fired into materials such as brick or concrete, closer than 3 inches from the unsupported edge or corner or into steel surfaces closer than 1/2 inch from the unsupported edge or corner. Tools shall not be operated when their safety devices are ineffective.
(t) Wear. Each powder-actuated tool shall be completely dismantled periodically, depending on the type of service and recommendations of the manufacturer. At such times it shall be carefully inspected for wear and the proper operation of all safety devices. If any worn parts are discovered the tool shall be removed from service immediately and shall not be used again until it has been examined, repaired, with worn parts replaced, and approved for use by a duly authorized and qualified representative of the manufacturer of the particular tool. An accurate record of each inspection shall be made, dated, and signed by the employer and a copy forwarded to the Department.
(u) Carrying devices. Carrying devices worn by the operator for powder actuated tools may only be used within 50 feet of the immediate fastening being made.
Source The provisions of this § 29.55 amended October 28, 1970, 1 Pa.B. 824.
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 29.56 (relating to storage); and 34 Pa. Code § 29.69 (relating to general requirements).
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