34 Pa. Code § 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:
Click to view image
(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.
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