Health and safety, personal protective equipment and emergency procedures
This domain covers the hazards that make refrigerant work dangerous-pressure, extreme cold, toxicity, flammability and oxygen displacement-and the PPE and emergency actions that control them.
Hazards and PPE
Liquid refrigerant causes frostbite and eye damage; wear cryogenic gloves, goggles or a face shield, and a protective apron. Vapour is heavier than air and can displace oxygen in basements and pits; use ventilation and gas detection. A2L and A3 refrigerants need ignition-source control. Ammonia requires respiratory protection and escape procedures. Never use smell as a leak test.
Emergency response
For a leak: raise the alarm, evacuate and ventilate, remove ignition sources for flammable refrigerants, and do not operate electrical switches. Isolate the leak if safe. For frostbite, use lukewarm water (not hot) and seek medical help; for eye contact, flush for at least 15 minutes. Cylinder fires: evacuate and cool from a distance; do not approach.
Worked example: A technician detects R-290 (A3, propane) in a basement cabinet. Propane is flammable and heavier than air, so the correct response is to stop work, clear ignition sources, evacuate, ventilate mechanically, confirm with a gas detector, and only then repair using A3-rated equipment. A fan switched on inside the area could ignite the gas.
Traps
Using nitrile gloves for cryogenic work; assuming A1 refrigerants are safe in a pit; using a phone or switch in a flammable atmosphere; flushing eyes with hot water; re-entering without testing the atmosphere.