Program: Safety Talk

Topic: Refrigerant Hazard Safety

Date: 27-02-2020
Refrigerant is a substance or mixture usually a fluid used in a heat pump or a refrigeration cycle and it
undergoes phase transition from liquid to gas and back to liquid again.
Refrigerant must be used properly to prevent potential hazards posing dangers to frostbite and eye damage.
It could also cause respiratory problem, skin irritation and damage to the environment, if handled
improperly.
The following hazards could be associated to refrigerant mishandling:
i. Environmental Hazard (Ozone layer depletion, climatic change etc.)
ii. Toxicity
iii. Asphyxiation
iv. Physical hazards
v. Flammability
However, safety measures must be taken to avoid injury to one self, property damage and damage to the
environment.
1. Refrigerant must be handled by trained personnel.
2. Wear safety goggles and gloves at all times.
3. Wear proper respiratory protection while working with refrigerant.
4. Proper ventilation is required in enclosed areas where leak is susceptible.
5. Inhaling refrigerant could cause suffocation or sudden death.
6. Always fill refrigerant through the low-pressure side of the system to avoid explosion.
7. Check for correct operating pressure by using gauges to monitor the system pressure.
8. Avoid mixing different refrigerant.
9. Always stand to one side when operating ammonia valves as it can burn and damage the eyes or
cause loss of consciousness.
10. Avoid skin contact with oil in compressor as it is often very acidic causing severe burn.
11. Ensure the refrigerant in a system is removed to 0 PSI before disassembling the system.
12. Do not smoke, braze or weld when refrigerant smoke is present.
13. Do not store refrigerant above 52oC (125oF).
14. Do not use cylinder with rust, distortion, denting or corrosion.
15. Always check the MSDS before handling any refrigerant and follow all safety requirement.
Note: Highly concentrated vapour have anesthetic effect causing stumbling, shortness of breath, irregular or
missing pulse, tremors, convulsion and even death.

TAKE CARE AND WORK SAFE.