

Solution: Power Caulking Guns

E-mail this Solution to a Friend


	Description:	Using a non-powered caulking gun requires high hand forces to pull the trigger. If you use these guns often and for long periods of time, you are at risk of stressing the soft tissues in your hand, wrist, and forearm. This can lead to serious muscle or joint injuries. The more pressure your gun requires to pull the trigger (low mechanical advantage), the higher your chance of injury. You may have to use even more force when you apply thicker sealant material. If you have to bend your wrist or twist your forearm when pulling the trigger, you also increase your chance of injury. Your chance of developing an injury increases if the gun you use has sharp edges or grooves on the trigger, or has a wide span between the trigger and the grip, forcing you to stretch your hand. The photos below provide an example of the problem, and an photo of a solution: A power caulking gun, which may be powered by a battery or compressed air, eliminates the need for pulling the trigger to apply the caulk or sealant. More Detail
	Risks Addressed:	Stress to your fingers, hand and forearm due to use of a non-powered caulking gun.
	How Risks are Reduced:	A battery (cordless gun) or compressed air (pneumatic gun) provides the power to force the caulk from the gun. Some guns have a variable speed control to manage sealant flow. You do need access to a power source. This may be an electrical outlet or generator to charge the batteries in a cordless gun, or an air compressor to power a pneumatic gun. When you use a pneumatic gun, the hose may produce some resistance (or "drag”) on the tool, possibly increasing the grip force necessary. Cordless guns are available for tube, sausage, and bulk caulks. A 12-volt or higher cordless gun will produce 600+ lbs. of thrust force. Pneumatic guns will handle sausage and bulk caulks. Another device available is a caulk-dispensing adapter that can be used with a cordless drill or variable speed AC drill. These adapters are available for 10oz. and 30oz. caulk cartridges.
	Quality of Evidence (Risk Reduction):	Safety and health experts believe there is a risk reduction.
	Quality of Evidence Explanation (Risk Reduction):	Reducing the required grip force and hand pressure will reduce fatigue and strain.
	Effects on Productivity:	Use of power caulking guns should result in less soft tissue fatigue, discomfort, and injury. Although power caulking guns are heavier than non-powered guns, they do not require high hand forces to get the caulk out of the gun. One minor drawback is that pneumatic caulking guns are tethered to the air compressor with a hose, and the hose must be moved along with the gun.
	Quality of Evidence (Effects on Productivity):	Manufacturers or vendors have reported an increase in productivity.
	Quality of Evidence Explanation (Effects on Productivity):	Reducing the required application force and reducing fatigue is expected to increase productivity. Set up time may be increased somewhat to set up power source.
	Return on Investment:	To calculate the return on investment (ROI) for your specific application, please visit our Return on Investment Calculator. While a specific ROI example has not been developed for this particular solution, the ROI Calculator provides a useful tool and guidance on how to generate your own on investment analysis.
	Availability:	Albion Engineering Co. (cordless) For purchasing information, visit http://www.albioneng.com or contact 1-856-235-6688 or by e-mail Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. (cordless) For purchasing information, visit http://www.milwaukeetool.com or contact 1-800-729-3878 or by e-mail Astro Pneumatic Tool Co. (pneumatic) For purchasing information, visit http://www.astrotools.com or contact 1-800-221-9705 or customerservice@astrotools.com
	Hazards Addressed:	Sheet Metal & HVAC Apply caulk, cement and mastic sealants Kneeling & Squatting Overhead work Stooped postures Stressful hand & wrist activity
	Sources:	Albers, James T., and Estill, Cheryl F. Simple Solutions: Ergonomics for Construction Workers. DHHS (NIOSH) Publications. March 2007. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh. To view the Table of Contents for the Simple Solutions Document, please visit: http://www.cpwr.com/simple.html. Please send requests for copies of this publication to cdcinfo@cdc.gov, referencing document number 2007-122.

Reviews Average Reader Rating (based on 1 reviews)

Power Caulking Guns (Posted August 21, 2008)

Reviewer: Rick Goggins

We\'ve recommended power caulkers many times to workers in a variety of trades and industries. The sustained gripping required to apply a lot of caulk with a non-powered caulking gun is both fatiguing and stressful to the hand, wrist and elbow. A power caulker seems like the best way to prevent those issues.

Submit Review

Rate Solution: