ISANTA Announces Revised ANSI SNT-101-2002 Standard

ANSI Safety Standard on Air Nailers/ Staplers Revised

The ANSI safety standard on air nailers and staplers was revised. It will impact the "actuation systems" ("contact-trip," "sequential", etc.) available on future tools. Tool users can expect that most of the larger tools will be sold with sequential actuation systems. Particular manufacturers may include or provide means for converting these to other actuation systems. Some tools will continue to be sold with contact-trip systems. Users will be able to choose the actuation system for their particular needs.

The revised standard also affects tool safety labels. It recommends particular language for six separate messages to be included on tools. It also has three standardized safety symbols to be included on the tool.

The ANSI standard, ANSI SNT-101-2002, will become effective on tools manufactured after May 1, 2003. Copies may be requested by phone (708-482-8138), fax (708-482-8186), or by e-mail at  isanta@ameritech.net

NOTICE:  This document is copyrighted, 2003, by the International Staple, Nail, and Tool Association (ISANTA).  All rights reserved.

Users of the ISANTA Web site may view, print, download or otherwise save copies of ANSI SNT-101-2002 for their own personal or internal business purposes. No other use, including reproduction, retransmission,  editing, or distribution, by sale or otherwise, of this publication may be made without the prior written permission of ISANTA.

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Questions & Answers on

ANSI SNT-101-2002

A. Question: What is ANSI SNT-101-2002?

Answer: It is a voluntary standard establishing safety requirements for the design, use and maintenance of portable air nailers and staplers. It is an "American National Standard," or "ANSI standard."

B. Question: What is an "ANSI standard?"

Answer: ANSI standards are developed by a consensus process involving a broad cross-section of interested parties. Some of the parties involved in review of ANSI SNT-101-2002 include various tool manufacturers, the AFL-CIO Building Trades Department, Coachmen Industries, Compressed Air and Gas Institute, National Safety Council, National Wooden Pallet & Container Association, Packaging Incorporated, Power Tool Institute and Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

C. Question: How is the revision different from the previous, 1993, standard?

Answer: There are three major differences between the 2002 standard and the 1993 standard it replaces. The revision:

	reflects developments in tool technology and addresses, in detail, various actuation systems and their design, use and sale.
	specifies particular wording for tool safety labels.
	specifies three safety symbols to be used on tool safety labels.

D. Question: What is the impact of the changes?

Answer: Tools will be sold primarily with "sequential actuation systems," or variations of such systems, with opportunities to convert tools, based on the users’ needs, to contact actuation systems. Some tools will continue to be sold with contact trips. In addition, there will be clearer, more uniform safety warnings and labels on tools.

E. Question: Can you describe the various actuation systems?

Answer:

	Sequential Actuation Systems require that the tool’s operating controls must be activated in a certain sequence in order for a tool to drive a fastener.
	Contact Actuation Systems allow the tool’s operating controls to be activated in any order for a tool to drive a fastener.
	Other actuation systems ("Selective Actuation" or "Automatic Reversion Actuation") allow the tool’s operating controls to be switched or to automatically switch between other types of actuation modes (e.g. contact, sequential).

F. Question: Can you summarize the provisions in the revised standard on actuation systems?

Answer: The revised standard states that, with exceptions, tools should be manufactured with single sequential, full sequential, selective, or automatic reversion actuation. Exceptions are light-duty tools, heavy-duty staplers and coil nailers. Because tool users’ needs and preferences vary widely, the standard allows users flexibility in choosing the right actuation system for their particular needs. As such, tool purchasers may find that new tools have sequential actuation systems, but can be converted to a contact trip tool. In addition, tools shipped to tool users in high volume, production-like applications (for example, pallet and furniture shops and manufactured home producers) can be equipped with contact trip actuation and still meet the standard’s requirements.

G. Question: What are the actuation system requirements for light-duty tools, heavy-duty staplers and coil nailers?

Answer: These tools do not have to be manufactured with an actuation system meeting the requirements of single sequential, full sequential, selective, or automatic reversion actuation (e.g., heavy-duty staplers and coil nailers.) They can be equipped with contact trip actuation and still meet the standard’s requirements on actuation system. Light-duty tools do not have any specific actuation system requirements.

H. Question: What new provisions apply to tool safety labels?

Answer: Unless the design of the tool requires otherwise, the 2002 standard requires six specific messages concerning:

	reading and understanding tool labels and manuals
	wearing eye protection
	keeping finger off trigger when not driving fasteners
	choosing the right triggering method
	never pointing the tool at anyone
	never using oxygen or reactive gasses to power these tools

I. Question: What new provisions apply to tool safety symbols?

Answer: The revised standard requires inclusion of three symbols: 1) a "mandatory action symbol" indicating that the operator must read the tool manual; 2) a "mandatory action symbol" indicating that eye protection is necessary when using the tool; and 3) a "hazard alert symbol" indicating the possibility that tools could cause personal injury.

J. Question: Is this standard a regulation?

Answer: No. It is an ANSI standard, not a governmental regulation. Standards such as this are often referred to as "voluntary standards." Because it is an ANSI standard, developed with input from all "interest groups," it is considered the key standard on power nailers and staplers.

K. Question: When is the revised standard effective?

Answer: The new standard applies to tools manufactured after May 1, 2003. Tools produced, or in the distribution system, or in use by May 1, 2003 will not be affected by this standard. It does not affect tools already in use or made before that date.

L. Question: How can users get a copy of the revised standard?

Answer: Complimentary copies of the new standard are available from ISANTA. In addition, the information needed for distributors, maintainers, users, user employers, etc. is contained in safety information provided by tool manufacturers.

M. Question: Is other information available to tool users, owners, employers and trainers on tool safety?

Answer: ISANTA has a 15-minute VHS safety video, "Power Fastening Safety and You: A Partnership." Copies may be requested by contacting ISANTA. ISANTA also has additional material intended to make it easy for a trainer to develop a training session around the safety video. These materials will be available as free downloads from ISANTA’s web site, "isanta.org". ISANTA expects the site and safety materials to be launched by the end of February.

N. Question: Where can I get the ANSI safety standard and safety training materials?

Answer: Contact ISANTA by telephone at (708) 482-8138, by fax at (708) 482-8186, or by e-mail at isanta@ameritech.net