Refrigerant Safety Tips For Technicians

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Handling refrigerants is meant for certified technicians only, which is why it’s essential to stay informed on safety when it comes to these powerful chemicals. Follow along below to get all the refrigerant safety tips for technicians, including tools, PPE and more. Refrigerant is the foundation for functional commercial equipment, so make sure you stay updated and safe on it.

Why is Safety Important When Handling Refrigerants?

Refrigerants can cause serious health risks when released into the air or when they come into direct contact with skin or eyes. Which is why that safety needs to be the top priority for technicians when it comes to handling refrigerants. Mishandling refrigerants can not only damage equipment, but risk your health as well. Depending on the refrigerant type, exposure can lead to:

Frostbite/skin burns from contact with skin
Respiratory issues from inhaling high concentrations in enclosed spaces
Cardiac sensitization at elevated exposure levels
Oxygen displacement

What Tools & PPE Do You Need to Work With Refrigerants?

So what can you do to protect yourself while working with refrigerants? Utilizing safety tools and personal protective equipment can help prevent injury and accidents. Following any official guidelines and regulations is important, since these are made to keep you working in the field for longer. Some essential tools and PPE you might be required to use are:

Protective gloves
Safety goggles
Gas mask/respirator
Impervious clothing
Full face shield
Closed-toe, non-slip footwear

What Refrigerant Training is There & Where to Find It?

So what kind of training do you need to be handling refrigerants? Every company will have their own training and certification requirements, along with any state or regional requirements. The one certification that every technician who maintains, services, repairs or disposes of refrigeration is the EPA Section 608 certification. This certification is essential for any technician if you aren’t already certified. There are four types of certifications for refrigerants, which are:

Type I – Small appliances
Type II – High-pressure appliances, except small appliances and MVACs
Type III – Low-pressure appliances
Universal – All types of equipment

Safety Tips for Handling Hazards

If you need to refresh yourself on some safety tips that you can use to keep yourself safe while working, check out some of the ones we have for you:

Make sure all PPE is on correctly before starting
Verify the system and refrigerant type before starting
Use clean, calibrated tools and gauges
Follow proper charging procedures
Ensure ventilation and respiratory gear is working as intended
Use safe refrigerant transferring techniques
Verify systems integrity after servicing
Recognize signs of refrigerant exposure

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