Yanbu National Petrochemical Company Site Safety Procedures Manual

Yanbu Petrochemical Complex U & O Project July, 2005

Fluor Arabia Limited Contract A2IT Page 1 of 2

38. POWDER ACTUATED TOOLS

Explosive actuated tools are sometimes referred to as powder actuated drivers, ramset tools or stud
gun. It is a tool that depends on an explosive charge to provide the driving force. It is used for driving
studs, pins or other fastening devices into materials or surfaces or for operations of a similar nature.
Use of this type of tool is permitted on the Project as long as the following guidelines are followed
closely by Contractors.

1. Only certified employees are permitted to use this type tool. A certified person is someone who
has been formally instructed and trained by the manufacturer or manufacturer's representative.
Certified persons must show proof of training upon request (wallet card).
2. Adequate eye, ear, head, face and/or personal protective equipment as necessitated by working
conditions must be used by the operator as well as other persons in the immediate area.
Minimum eye protection is considered as face shield and safety glasses worn in conjunction
with a hard hat for head protection.
3. Only indirect acting powder actuated tools may be used. Tools designed using a plunger or
piston to propel fasteners are acceptable. Tools designed to have the charge directly propel the
fastener are prohibited.
4. Tool must be designed so that it will not fire if the muzzle is not in firm contact with the surface
to be worked on.
5. Shield or guard required by the manufacturer to confine flying particles and prevent escape of
ricocheting studs and pins must be used as prescribed by the owner's manual.
6. Tool must be provided with a safety lock designed to "fail safe", that is if the safety lock is
broken, worn or damaged in any manner the tool will not fire.
7. Users of the device must follow manufacturer's recommendations as to size of charge, stud unit
or pin for specific application.
8. Loaded tools are not to be left unattended.
9. Records must be kept of all cartridges issued and the ones returned to the Tool Room and must
show the number of cartridges issued / returned, the name of the person issued to and the serial
number of the tool the cartridges were issued for.
10. The powder-actuated tool must be issued daily from the Tool Room and returned at the end of
the shift. The store man will inspect the tool upon its return and before issuing. Inspection
records must be kept and made available to Owner upon request.
11. Cartridges or shells must be kept in the original containers or in the carrying case provided with
the tool. Cartridges must not be carried loose in clothing.
12. Cartridges not in use are to be stored in a locked container.
13. Each tool should be tested each day before loading to see that all safety devices are in proper
working condition.
14. Tool should be loaded just prior to use. Never leave a loaded tool unattended.

H:\000_General\Share\501 - Construction\SITE SAFETY PROCEDURES\38-Powder-Actuated-Tools.doc GENERAL SITE CONDITIONS AND SAFETY PROCEDURES
Yanbu National Petrochemical Company Site Safety Procedures Manual
Yanbu Petrochemical Complex U & O Project July, 2005
Fluor Arabia Limited Contract A2IT Page 2 of 2

15. Explosive activated tools should be handled like firearms, with hands clear of muzzle and barrel
pointed away from all persons.
16. In case of a "misfire", continue to hold the muzzle on the tool firmly against the surface for no
less than 30 seconds. Great care must then be taken to keep the muzzle aimed away from
persons in the area while the barrel is removed or when gun-action is opened to eject the
cartridge.
17. Routine inspections should be done periodically of all safety devices, as well as the working
mechanism of the tool. Worn or defective tools should be returned for repair immediately.

18. Never store the tool loaded. Store tool with the barrel removed or breach open.
19. Before actual use of this tool, appropriate supervisory personnel must be notified of intended
use.
20. Attachment of fasteners to the following materials is prohibited. Hard or brittle materials such
as cast iron, glazed tile, surface hardened steel, glass block, face brick, hollow tile, or any
spalled area.
21. Materials that are easily penetrated should be backed by a substance that will prevent the pin or
stud from passing completely through.
22. Fasteners must not be driven into brick or concrete closer than 3" from an edge or corner, or
into steel surfaces closer than 1/2" from the edge or corner unless a special guard, jig, or fixture
is used to cover all avenues through which flying particles could escape.
23. Never drive a fastener into any operating vessel.
24. Never use a power impact tool unless the retainer ring or pin is in place and the tool or plunger
is against a solid object to prevent it from being thrown out.

NOTE: Persons that are using the powder-actuated tool unsafely and irresponsibly will be
terminated from the project immediately.

H:\000_General\Share\501 - Construction\SITE SAFETY PROCEDURES\38-Powder-Actuated-Tools.doc GENERAL SITE CONDITIONS AND SAFETY PROCEDURES