Nail Gun Injuries and Unguarded Shafts

Nail Gun Injuries and Unguarded Shafts: Two Costly Workplace Incidents

Summary: Two separate incidents highlight how gaps in workplace safety systems can lead to severe harm. A nail gun discharge pierced a worker's chest at a South Auckland manufacturer, while an unguarded shaft on a conveyor belt caused a fatality at a timber mill. Both cases underline why exclusion zones, proper supervision, and robust compliance measures matter for every business using powered tools or machinery.

Man Shot in the Heart With a Nail Gun, Lucky to Be Alive

A worker received NZ$15,000 in reparation after a colleague accidentally fired a nail gun into his chest at a mattress and bed manufacturer based in South Auckland.

In September 2019, an employee moved to free a coil hose connecting his nail gun to the air supply line. During this process, the trigger engaged, firing a nail into the chest of a worker walking behind him. He could not return to work for three months, as surgeons needed to remove the nail.

WorkSafe New Zealand area manager Danielle Henry said, "There was a real risk that other workers could come into contact with an operator's nail gun, and that's exactly what happened, clear exclusion zones should've been marked out around work-stations where nail guns were in use."

WorkSafe NZ wants businesses to remember the importance of thorough risk assessments and exclusion zones, particularly when powered tools remain in operation nearby. Establishing a documented nail gun SOP can help crews maintain consistent safety practices around pneumatic tools, whether staff use a battery-operated nail gun or a pneumatic model.

The manufacturing company appeared before the Manukau District Court on March 29 and received a NZ$250,000 fine, plus an order to pay NZ$15,000 reparation to the victim.

Read the original article on the WorkSafe NZ website.

Timber Mill Fined $50,000 Following the Death of a Worker

In May 2018, an unguarded shaft on a conveyor belt dragged in a worker while he removed rejected timber from a moulding machine, pinning him against a metal upright. He died at the scene from multiple injuries sustained during the incident.

The labour hire employee had commenced work at the timber mill in February 2018. Unfortunately, the agency remained unaware that he had been moved into a new role within a different factory section before the incident occurred.

WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Julie Nielsen said the labour hire company should have done more to protect its staff.

"This includes making sure the host does not give their employees new or different tasks, especially tasks unrelated to their experience and qualifications," Ms Nielsen said.

The recruitment agency pleaded guilty in the Wangaratta Magistrates Court to a single charge of failing to provide and maintain a safe work system, and received an order to pay $10,438.

The timber mill operator also faces charges relating to this incident, reinforcing why ongoing compliance checks matter across every stage of timber processing operations.

Read the full article on the WorkSafe Vic website.

Why Exclusion Zones and Machine Guarding Matter

Both incidents share a common thread: preventable harm caused by inadequate hazard controls. Whether managing nail gun operations or conveyor systems, businesses carry legal and moral obligations to protect their workforce.

• Mark clear exclusion zones around workstations where nail guns or other powered tools operate.
• Guard all moving machinery components, including shafts, belts, and rollers, to prevent entanglement.
• Communicate role changes for labour hire staff between agencies and host employers.
• Conduct regular risk assessments covering health impacts alongside physical hazard exposure.
• Review compliance obligations under local work health and safety legislation to avoid penalties.

Businesses can strengthen their safety documentation with tools like a nail-staple gun SWMS, which outlines safe work procedures for pneumatic fastening tools. For broader context on how physical strain and repetitive tasks contribute to workplace harm, see our article on workplace ergonomics and injury prevention in logistics.

For more on recent nail gun incidents and lessons learned, read our related blog post: Nail gun incidents prompt safety warning. Businesses seeking further guidance on reducing severe workplace harm may also find value in Queensland's campaign to decrease severe workplace injuries and deaths.

Staying informed on evolving safety obligations is essential for every organisation. Visit our Workplace Health and Safety Show page for upcoming events focused on practical compliance solutions for modern workplaces.