10 Safety Tips to Follow for Pneumatic Hog Ring Tools
Pneumatic hog ring tools, although very effective, come with inherent risks if not handled correctly. Some of these risks include puncture wounds, lacerations, and strain injuries. If you want to maintain a safe environment, you need to understand and respect their power.
In this blog, we’ll highlight 10 common safety considerations that apply to most pneumatic hog ring tools.
1. Always Wear Safety Goggles
Pneumatic hog ring tools work at high velocities, so there is always a risk of flying debris and hog rings, which can cause serious eye injuries. Safety goggles can help prevent that. Yes, they’re a bit of an inconvenience at times, but they’re certainly a better alternative to permanent vision damage.
2. Apply Enough Force to the Tool’s Handle
With pneumatic tools, having a good grip helps with both precision and keeping the tool steady. An improper hold increases the risk of the tool slipping or hog rings misfiring, which can be dangerous. Although you need a firm grip, be sure you’re not holding the tool too tightly for a long time, which can cause strain injuries.
3. Always Read the Operator’s Manual
While most pneumatic tools operate similarly, you should still read and understand the operator’s manual for your specific tool because each manufacturer may have their own safety or operational recommendations. Understanding these manufacturer-specific practices will help you avoid misuse that could lead to accidents or equipment damage.
4. Keep the Tool Pointed at the Workpiece
Always keep the tool pointed directly at the workpiece when you use the tool. Even when you’re not using it, never point it at yourself or someone else. It’s never funny and always dangerous.
5. Don’t Use the Tool If You’ve Noticed These Issues
If you’ve noticed rings not feeding smoothly down the magazine or rings not forming correctly, don’t use the tool. Feeding problems can increase the risk of jamming, which can cause sudden starts, stops, and potential accidents or injuries. Improperly formed rings also compromise the integrity of the fastening, leading to weaker, unsafe structures. Additionally, using the tool while it’s experiencing issues will cause more wear and tear on the tool.
When you’re in this situation, read the operator’s manual and follow their steps for troubleshooting feeding problems.
6. Don’t Actuate or Put Fingers in Jaw While Loading
Know how to load your tool properly. Actuating the hog ring tool or placing your fingers near its jaws while loading hog rings can lead to severe injuries. The tool’s jaw is designed to clamp down with significant force—we don’t have to say more about what could happen next. Even if you’re being careful, the tool could accidentally actuate. Another best safety practice is ensuring the tool is switched off or disconnected from its power source during loading. Other best loading practices will be found in your operator’s manual.
7. Ensure Proper Maintenance
Regular maintenance goes a long way and will ensure your tool operates efficiently without dangerous mishaps.
Some of the key maintenance practices include:
- Frequently oiling moving parts, such as the jaws, bushings, and rollers
- Removing accumulated debris and other buildup in the jaw area, between the side plates and around the rollers, which can cause jams and unexpected actuation
- Replacing worn or damaged springs, pins, or magazines
- Using the right lubricants
The operator’s manual for your tool will have more specific maintenance requirements, along with frequency recommendations.
8. Use the Right Hog Ring Size
Hog rings come in many sizes and are designed for specific applications and material thicknesses. Using the right size ensures the materials being fastened are held securely. If the hog ring is too small, it might not encompass the materials thoroughly, but if it’s too large, it might not tighten sufficiently. Using an incorrect size could also cause damage to your tool and the materials being fastened. On a larger scale, structural components relying on correctly fastened hog rings will be compromised, posing risks for the public and the environment.
9. Never Use Loose Hog Rings
Loose hog rings, particularly those that aren’t uniformly aligned or are deformed, can easily jam inside the tool, causing it to work improperly and undergo more wear and tear. Jamming also increases the risk of misfires, unexpected ejections, and injuries to the operator or bystanders.
10. Don’t Drop the Tool
Lastly, don’t drop the tool. It’s easier said than done, but dropping it can physically damage the tool’s components, cause misalignments, or cause accidental actuation.
When operating your tool, attach a lanyard to it to secure it to a stable fixture or yourself, which will prevent the tool from hitting the ground if accidentally dropped. When you’re not using it, store it in a secure place where it’s not likely to fall or be accidentally knocked down.
Get More Tips & Resources From King Steel Fasteners
King Steel Fasteners is an industry-leading manufacturer and supplier of pneumatic tools for C- and D-style hog rings.
You can visit our blog for more safety tips or our resources page, where we publish all of our operator’s manuals.