3 Refrigerant Safety Tips

Not all refrigerants are the same, and therefore they all pose different safety risks. Some refrigerants -- like CO2 -- have low, virtually negligible toxicity levels. Others, however, can be dangerous and must be handled appropriately. 

Whether you're an in-house technician or an outside contractor, adhere to these three refrigerant safety tips, courtesy of FacilitiesNet:

1. Training

"The EPA recommends that every organization designate a facility refrigerant compliance manager and implement a refrigerant compliance management plan" reports FacilitiesNet. The first step in doing so is to create a program that outlines refrigerant regulations for your business or organization. It should include:

• EPA regulations
• Policies for refrigerant handling
• A training program
• Signed statement of understanding from employees 
• Regular compliance update training

2. Precautions

Refrigerant technicians need to be aware of best practices. This includes filling cylinders to the correct volume based on temperature, pressure and weight. Be sure that you're using DOT-approved cylinders!

Technicians should also wear:

• Safety goggles
• Safety shoes
• Hard hat
• Long pants
• Gloves
• Long-sleeved shirt

3. Transportation

Cylinders must be tightly secured to an appropriate wheeled device. You should never roll a cylinder filled with refrigerant! Keep an eye out for contamination and leakage into the atmosphere. Technicians should also check for refrigerant type, oils and cleanliness. 

East Coast Refrigeration always strives to be as safe as possible when dealing with refrigerant. We urge you to do the same! Failure to follow the safety tips outlined above could have serious consequences. Feel free to call East Coast Refrigeration at 631-249-4556 for additional safety tips. Plus, don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.