Ohio Administrative Code
Title 4123:1 - Division of Safety and Hygiene
Chapter 4123:1-3 - Construction
Section 4123:1-3-12 - Portable explosive-actuated fastening tools
Universal Citation: OH Admin Code 4123:1-3-12
Current through all regulations passed and filed through September 16, 2024
(A) Reserved.
(B) Definitions.
(1) "Portable explosive-actuated fastening
tool (powder-actuated)" means a tool which depends upon an explosive charge to
propel or discharge a stud, pin, or fastener for the purpose of impinging it
upon, affixing it to, or penetrating another object or material.
(a) "High velocity tool" means a tool or
machine which, when used with a load, propels or discharges a stud, pin, or
fastener, at velocities in excess of three hundred feet per second when
measured six and five-tenths feet from the muzzle end of the barrel, for the
purpose of impinging it upon, affixing it to, or penetrating another object or
material.
(b) "Low velocity tool"
means a tool or machine which by means of a powder-load, actuates a piston,
which, in turn, propels or discharges a stud, pin, or fastener, at velocities
not in excess of three hundred feet per second when measured six and
five-tenths feet from the muzzle end of the barrel, for the purpose of
impinging it upon, affixing it to, or penetrating another object or material.
(2) "Protective shield
or guard" means a device or guard attached to the muzzle end ofthe tool which
is designed to confine flying particles.
(3) "Stud, pin, or fastener" means a
fastening device specifically designed and manufactured for use in portable
explosive-actuated fastening tools.
(4) "Tool" means a portable
explosive-actuated fastening tool, unless otherwise indicated, and shall
include all accessories pertaining thereto.
(C) High velocity tools.
Tools ofthis type shall have the following characteristics:
(1) The muzzle end ofthe tool shall
have a protective shield or guard no less than three and one-half inches in
diameter, mounted perpendicular to and concentric with the barrel, and designed
to confine any flying fragments or particles that might otherwise create a
hazard at the time offiring.
(2)
Where a standard shield or guard cannot be used, or where it does not cover all
apparent avenues through which flying particles might escape, a special shield,
guard, fixture, or jig designed and built by the manufacturer of the tool being
used, which provides this degree of protection, shall be used as a substitute.
(3) The tool shall be so designed
that it cannot be fired unless it is equipped with a standard protective guard
or shield, or a special shield, guard, fixture, or jig.
(4) Firing the tool.
(a) The firing mechanism shall be so designed
that the tool cannot fire during loading or preparation to fire, or if the tool
should be dropped while loaded.
(b) Firing of the tool shall be dependent
upon no less than two separate and distinct operations of the operator, with
the final firing movement being separate from the operation of bringing the
tool into the firing position.
(5) The tool shall be so designed as not to
be operable other than against a work surface, and unless the operator is
holding the tool against the work surface with a force no less than five pounds
greater than the total weight of the tool.
(6) The tool shall be so designed that it
will not operate when equipped with the standard guard indexed to the center
position if any bearing surface of the guard is tilted more than eight degrees
from contact with the work surface.
(7) The tool shall be so designed that
positive means of varying the power are available or can be made available to
the operator as part of the tool, or as an auxiliary, in order to make it
possible for the operator to select a power level adequate to perform the
desired work without excessive force.
(8) The tool shall be so designed that all
breeching parts will be reasonably visible to allow a check for any foreign
matter that may be present.
(D) Low velocity tools -- piston type tools.
Tools of the low velocity piston type shall have the following characteristics:
(1) The muzzle end
of the tool shall be designed so that suitable protective shields, guards,
jigs, or fixtures, designed and built by the manufacturer of the tool being
used, can be mounted perpendicular to the barrel. A standard spall shield, when
supplied, shall be utilized with each tool.
(2) Firing the tool.
(a) The tool shall be designed so that it
cannot fire during loading or during preparation to fire, or ifthe tool should
be dropped while loaded.
(b)
Firing of the tool shall be dependent upon no less than two separate and
distinct operations ofthe operator, with the final firing movement being
separate from the operation ofbringing the tool into the firing position.
(3) The tool shall be
so designed as not to be operable other than against a work surface, and unless
the operator is holding the tool against the work surface with a force no less
than five pounds greater than the total weight ofthe tool.
(4) The tool shall be so designed that
positive means of varying the power are available or can be made available to
the operator as part ofthe tool, or as an auxiliary, in order to make it
possible for the operator to select a power level adequate to perform the
desired work without excessive force.
(5) The tool shall be so designed that all
breeching parts will be reasonably visible to allow a check for any foreign
matter that may be present.
(E) Minimum instructions for qualifying operators.
Instructions to operators in order to teach them the use of portable explosive-actuated fastening tools shall include, but shall not be limited to the following items:
Only employees who have been trained in the operation of that particular tool in use shall be allowed to operate a powder-actuated tool.
The tool shall be tested each day before loading to see that safety devices are in proper working condition. The method of testing shall be in accordance with manufacturer's recommendation procedure.
(1) 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 obstructions.
(2) When a tool develops a defect
during use, the operator shall immediately cease to use it until it is properly
repaired.
(3) Tools shall not be
loaded until just prior to the intended firing time. Neither loaded nor empty
tools are to be pointed at any person, and hands shall be kept clear of the
open barrel end.
(4) No tools
shall be loaded unless being prepared for immediate use, nor shall an
unattended tool be left loaded.
(5) In case of a misfire, the operator shall
hold the tool in the operating position for no less than
fifteen seconds, and then try to operate the tool a
second time. The operator shall wait another
fifteen
seconds, holding the tool in the operating position and only then shall proceed
to remove the explosive load which shall be done in strict accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions. Misfired cartridges shall be placed carefully in a
metal container filled with water, and returned to the supervisor for disposal.
(6) A tool shall never be left
unattended in a place where it would be available to unauthorized persons.
(7) Fasteners shall not be driven
into very hard or brittle materials, including but not limited to cast iron,
glazed tile, surface-hardened steel, glass block, living rock, face brick, or
hollow tile.
(8) Driving into
materials easily penetrated shall be avoided unless such materials are backed
by a substance that will prevent the pin or fastener from passing completely
through and creating a flying missile hazard on the other side.
(9) Driving distance from edge.
(a) Fasteners shall not be driven directly
into materials such as brick or concrete closer than three inches from the
unsupported edge or corner, or into steel surfaces closer than one-half inch
from the unsupported edge or corner, unless a special guard, fixture, or jig is
used.
(b) Exception: low velocity
tools may drive no closer than two inches from an edge in concrete or
one-fourth inch in steel.
(c) When
fastening other materials, such as a two- by four-inch wood section to a
concrete surface, it is permissible to drive a fastener of no greater than
seven-thirty-seconds-inch shank diameter no closer than two inches from the
unsupported edge or corner ofthe work surface.
(10) Fasteners shall not be driven through
existing holes unless a positive guide is used to secure accurate alignment.
(11) No fastener shall be driven
into a spalled area caused by an unsatisfactory fastening.
(12) Tools shall not be used in an explosive
or flammable atmosphere.
(13) All
tools shall be used with the correct shield, guard or attachment recommended by
the manufacturer.
(14) Any tool
found not in proper working order shall be immediately removed from service.
The tool shall be inspected
each day before loading and
shall be repaired in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
(F) Strength ofcharge - identification.
All explosive charges (cartridges and shells) to be used in portable explosive-actuated tools shall be marked by color, in accordance with "Table 12-1," "Identification ofcased loads", to designate the strength ofthe charge.
Table 12.1 Identification of cased loads.
Note: The nominal velocity applies to 3/8-inch diameter 350-grain ballistic slug fired in a test device and has no reference to actual fastener velocity developed in any specific size or type oftool.
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates:
10/02/2014 and
10/01/2019
Promulgated
Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4121.12, 4121.121, 4121.13, Ohio
Const. Art. II, Sec. 35
Rule Amplifies: 4121.47
Prior
Effective Dates: 11/1/79, 1/1/11
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Ohio may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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