Safety, Tools, and Jobsite Practices
Jobsite safety
Follow OSHA and Oregon OSHA rules. Use lockout/tagout before servicing equipment, verify zero energy, and wear PPE for refrigerant, brazing, and electrical work. Brace ladders, keep walkways clear, and use a fire watch for hot work. Inspect cords and tools; use GFCI protection on temporary power.
Refrigerant and electrical hazards
Ventilate areas before charging; refrigerant displaces oxygen. Use recovery equipment and avoid skin contact. Treat capacitors as stored-energy hazards and discharge them. Keep an SDS and first-aid kit available.
Worked example
Replacing a rooftop compressor. Lock out the disconnect, verify no voltage, recover refrigerant, and cap lines. Use fall protection at the roof edge and a fire watch for brazing. Do not bypass the high-pressure switch to “test” the unit.
Traps
Bypassing safety controls; brazing without a fire watch; working alone in a confined space; and using the top ladder rung.