Application designed and maintained by the
Referred to as explosive-actuated tools, these tools use a powder or gas charge to fire a fastener into hard materials such as concrete, mild steel, and masonry. Used improperly, explosive-actuated tools pose hazards such as flying objects, excessive noise and fires. The tools should be treated with the same respect as a firearm. Ontario requires that operators be trained before using the tools and carry proof of training on the job.
Any worker using an explosive-actuated tool must be trained in its safe and proper use and carry proof of their training. Workers must wear adequate personal protective equipment, including eye protection. Explosive actuated fastening tools must be inspected to ensure:
Explosive actuated fastening tools must be used with a suitable protective guard that is:
The tool must be inoperable unless:
An explosive actuated fastening tool may be unguarded if the speed of a fastener fired from it does not exceed 90 metres per second (2 metres away) when using the maximum available load.
If the tool requires dismantling into separate parts for loading, it must not be useable until the parts are locked together. The firing mechanism must prevent the tool from being fired if it is dropped or while being loaded and prepared for firing. The tool must require two separate actions before it will fire:
Explosive actuated fastening tools must be stored in a locked container when not being used and may not be left unattended when taken out. Only load an explosive actuated fastening tool just before immediate use.
Never point an explosive actuated fastening tool at a person, whether it is loaded or not.
Cartridges must be marked or labelled for easy identification and should only be removed from the locked container when they are going to be used immediately. Cartridges of different strengths must be stored in separate containers. They may not left unattended where unqualified workers could use them operate an explosive actuated fastening tool. Misfired cartridges must be placed in a container of water and be removed from the project.
Construction Projects
O. Reg. 213/91
Part II GENERAL CONSTRUCTION
Section 117
117. (1) No worker shall use an explosive actuated fastening tool unless he or she has been adequately trained in its use.
(2) When using an explosive actuated fastening tool, the worker shall carry proof of his or her training in its use.
(3) No worker shall use an explosive actuated fastening tool unless he or she is wearing,
(a) adequate personal protective equipment; and
(b) adequate eye protection.
[O. Reg. 145/00, s. 30]
Section 118
118. A worker using an explosive actuated fastening tool shall inspect it before using it to ensure,
(a) that it is clean;
(b) that all moving parts operate freely;
(c) that its barrel is free from obstruction; and
(d) that it is not defective.
Section 119
119. (1) No worker shall use an explosive actuated fastening tool unless it has a suitable protective guard,
(a) that is at least seventy-five millimetres in diameter;
(b) that is mounted at right angles to the barrel of the tool; and
(c) that is centred on the muzzle end of the tool, if practicable.
(2) An explosive actuated fastening tool shall be inoperable unless,
(a) its muzzle end is held against a surface using a force at least 22 newtons greater than the force equivalent of the weight of the tool measured in newtons; and
(b) when a protective guard is centred on the muzzle end of the tool, the bearing surface of the guard is not tilted more than eight degrees from the work surface.
(3) Subsection (1) and clause (2)(b) do not apply with respect to an explosive actuated fastening tool if the velocity of a fastener fired from it does not exceed 90 metres per second measured at a distance of two metres from its muzzle end when propelled by the maximum commercially-available explosive load it is chambered to accept.
(4) An explosive actuated fastening tool that is designed to require dismantling into separate parts for loading shall be inoperable unless the separate parts are locked together.
(5) An explosive actuated fastening tool shall have a firing mechanism that prevents the tool from being fired if it is dropped or while it is being loaded or prepared for firing.
(6) The firing movement for an explosive actuated fastening tool shall be a separate action from the operation of bringing the tool into firing position.
(7) An explosive actuated fastening tool shall not be capable of being fired until the operator performs the two separate actions described in subsection (6).
[O. Reg. 145/00, s. 31; 142/17, s. 15]
Section 120
120. (1) Every explosive actuated fastening tool shall be stored in a locked container when not in use.
(2) No explosive actuated fastening tool shall be left unattended when out of its container.
(3) No explosive actuated fastening tool shall be loaded unless it is being prepared for immediate use.
(4) No explosive actuated fastening tool, whether or not it is loaded, shall be pointed at a person.
Section 121
121. (1) Every explosive load for an explosive actuated fastening tool,
(a) shall be marked or labelled so that a worker can easily identify its strength; and
(b) shall be stored in a locked container unless it is required for immediate use.
(2) No explosive load for an explosive actuated fastening tool,
(a) shall be stored in a container with explosive loads of other strengths; or
(b) shall be left unattended where it may be available to a worker who is not qualified to operate an explosive actuated fastening tool.
(3) A misfired explosive load removed from an explosive actuated fastening tool shall be placed in a water-filled container on the project until the misfired explosive load is removed from the project.
Welding and Cutting
Application designed and maintained by the