Whether you are a carpenter and you regularly work with nail guns or you work in the construction industry in another capacity and find yourself near others using nail guns, it is important to understand the risks you face and the consequences of an accident. Every year, many people have to go to emergency rooms as a result of nail gun accidents and some lose their lives.
From inadequate training to failing to report accidents and working too fast, these accidents keep occurring for different reasons. Employers and workers can reduce the likelihood of an accident by avoiding nail guns with automatic triggers, since single-shot nail guns are safer and less likely to cause injuries.
How many nail gun accidents occur each year?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 37,000 people seek emergency medical attention each year due to nail gun injuries, according to estimates. Among these visits, 60% are job-related. Although most of these accidents result in injuries that affect a worker’s hands, many workers suffer serious injuries and even death due to nail gun accidents as well.
How can workers recover from a nail gun accident?
For starters, if you sustain an injury in a nail gun accident, it is essential to seek medical care right away. In fact, some nail gun accident injuries seem relatively minor, but other complications arise later on. Moreover, it is important to take a look at your finances, especially if you need to take time off work or pay costly medical bills. Sometimes, workers’ compensation benefits help workers in this position.
