Inspection Detail

Inspection: 310489570 - H.L. Moe Company Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Long Beach District Office

Investigation Summary

On October 25, 2007, Employee #1, an experienced plumber, was working at a mixed residential/retail construction project. He was securing the small end of a 2 by 4 stud to hold in place a drain pipe that he was installing. Employee #1 had run out of nails and observed near his work area a nail gun left unattended by a coworker of another employer. He had never used a nail gun before and although he was not readily familiar with its use, he decided to use it to secure the 2-by-4. He was holding the nail gun in his right hand when it double fired and a nail punctured his left index finger. He sustained injuries that required hospitalization. Employee #1 later stated that he had been in error to use the nail gun and that he wished he had found some loose nails. The nail gun was inspected on October 29, 2007, and no obvious defects were found with it. The owner stated that the pressure of the gun at the time of the accident was in accordance with the manufacturer's ratings, and that Employee #1 had used the nail gun without his permission or knowledge.

Keywords: PORTABLE POWER TOOL, INSTALLING, FINGER, WORK RULES, CONSTRUCTION, INEXPERIENCE, STRUCK BY, UNTRAINED, PUNCTURE