Manual Staplers & Hammer Tackers

Staple guns and hammer tackers fasten insulation, house wrap, roofing underlayment, carpet, screen, wire and cable. They are simple, but a staple can go through a finger, ricochet into an eye or pierce an electrical cable. Most injuries happen when people aim the stapler at themselves, clear jams carelessly or work on a small piece held in the other hand.

• Carpenters
• Roofers
• Flooring & Insulation
• Electricians

Types of manual staplers

• Squeeze-handle staple guns (manual) drive staples when you squeeze the handle, and are used for upholstery, house wrap, screens and light jobs.
• Hammer tackers drive a staple when the head hits the surface, used for fast work on roofing felt, house wrap, insulation and vapor barriers. You swing it like a hammer.
• Cable staplers use insulated, rounded staples for low-voltage wire and cable.
• Heavy-duty and ceiling tile staplers drive wide-crown staples into wood framing, tile and plywood.
• Electric and pneumatic staplers are covered under power tools. See Nail Guns.

Main hazards

• Staples in the hand or finger, especially from holding the material with the other hand close to the stapler.
• Eye injuries from flying staples, metal fragments and ricochets off hard materials like knots, nails and metal. See Eye Injuries.
• Piercing cable and wire. A staple through a wire can cause shock or fire, and a staple through a pipe can cause leaks. See Hidden Wiring.
• Hand and wrist strain from repetitive squeezing, and elbow and shoulder strain from swinging hammer tackers overhead. See Repetitive Motion and Ergonomic Hand Tools.
• Falls when working on roofs and ladders, where a hammer tacker swing can throw you off balance. See Roof Work.
• Pinch points in the handle and in the magazine when loading.
• Sharp staples scattered on floors and roofs can cause foot punctures. See Puncture Wounds.

Safe operation

• Wear safety glasses with side shields every time. Add gloves for dexterity and protection, and use the right shoes on roofs. See Eye & Face Protection.
• Keep your hands and body clear of the front of the stapler. Hold the material with fingers well away from where the staple will go, or use a clamp. Never point a stapler at yourself or anyone else.
• Match the staple to the job. Use the right size, crown width and leg length for the tool and the material. The wrong staple jams and may bend or misfire. Check the tool’s rating.
• Check for hidden cables and pipes before stapling into walls, floors and ceilings. For cable, use cable staples that don’t pinch the wire, and don’t drive them so hard that they cut the insulation. See Hidden Wiring.
• Keep the stapler flat and square to the surface, and apply steady, firm pressure. Squeeze the handle firmly and fully so the staple is driven in.
• Hammer tackers: swing with control, hit the surface square so the staple goes straight and keep your free hand away. Don’t swing near others. Hold the handle near the end, as the manufacturer directs.
• Watch your footing and balance, especially on slopes, ladders and edges. Don’t overreach.
• Work in a good position to avoid awkward wrists and overhead strain. Take breaks, and use a tool with a comfortable grip and the lowest effort setting.

Jams, misfires and loading

• Keep the stapler pointed away from you when you open it, unload it or clear a jam.
• Follow the maker’s instructions for clearing a jam, which typically means opening the magazine, removing the bent staple with pliers and removing stuck staples carefully.
• Don’t force the handle. If it feels stuck, stop, and look for a bent staple or a damaged mechanism.
• Load with the tool unloaded and not pointed at anyone. Use only staples recommended for the tool, and keep fingers out of the magazine and drive channel.
• Don’t modify the tool, and don’t tape the handle or disable the safety.
• Replace tools with weak springs, worn or bent parts, cracks or damaged handles. See Tagging Out Damaged Tools.

Storage and cleanup

• Store staplers unloaded or with the magazine closed, in a case, belt holster or tool box, away from children. See Toolboxes & Tool Storage.
• Keep staple boxes closed and labeled, since loose staples are a puncture and a choking hazard.
• Pick up dropped and spent staples, scrap and packaging after each task. A magnet sweep helps on floors and roofs. See Housekeeping.
• Oil moving parts lightly as the maker advises and keep the tool clean and dry.

Stapler checklist

• I wear safety glasses and gloves, and keep my free hand well away from the staple path
• I use the right staples for the tool and the material
• I checked for hidden wires and pipes before stapling
• I point the tool away from myself and others when loading and clearing jams
• I watch my footing on roofs and ladders, and take breaks to avoid strain
• I clean up spent staples and store the tool safely

Last updated: October 5, 2026