An analysis of acute injuries experienced by operators of pneumatic fastener driving tools at Company XYZ

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify actions which would eliminate or reduce acute injuries experienced by employees that utilized pneumatic fastener driving tools (PFDTs) in assembly operations at Company XYZ. Approximately nine years of worker compensation claim data was analyzed to identify factors inherent to previous injuries at Company XYZ. In addition, two PFDT safety audits were performed in assembly areas which possessed the highest risk for PFDT acute injury based on findings from the worker compensation claim analysis. The PFDT safety audit was conducted utilizing a form created by the researcher which specified generally accepted requirements for the safe operation of PFDTs which the research identified from the literature review. By auditing PFDT conditions and observing operator behaviors when interacting with these tools, the researcher was able to make recommendations utilizing the hierarchy of controls to eliminate or reduce PFDT acute injuries at Company XYZ.