Product Overview

This Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) details the step-by-step safety controls for air conditioning refrigerant handling, servicing and re-gassing activities to help your business maintain safe systems of work and strong WHS compliance. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of air conditioning refrigerant handling and re-gassing safety, from depressurising systems through to servicing compact chillers.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe management of air conditioning and refrigerant gas, including storage, decanting, leak detection and environmental controls
• Depressurising air conditioning systems using approved recovery units and procedures to prevent sudden release of refrigerant
• Isolation and lock-out/tag-out of electrical and mechanical energy sources prior to refrigerant work
• Flushing of linesets to remove contaminants, moisture and debris while managing exposure to chemicals and high-pressure fluids
• Re-gassing of air-conditioning units, including correct connection of gauges and hoses, charge calculations and controlled filling techniques
• Service and maintenance of compact chillers, including access to plant rooms, moving parts, and hot/cold surfaces
• Selection and use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for refrigerant handling, brazing and pressure work
• Controls for working with pressurised systems, including pressure testing, venting and verification of system integrity
• Manual handling of cylinders, components and plant to minimise sprains, strains and crush injuries
• Safe use of portable tools and equipment such as vacuum pumps, recovery units, leak detectors and manifolds
• Management of confined or restricted plant spaces, including ventilation and monitoring for refrigerant accumulation
• Emergency response procedures for refrigerant leaks, cold burns, eye injuries and accidental release to atmosphere
• Environmental management of refrigerant, including recovery, recycling and disposal in line with regulatory requirements

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for air conditioning and refrigeration technicians, HVAC contractors, mechanical services trades, and site supervisors overseeing refrigerant handling and re-gassing work on Australian worksites.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on identifying, assessing and controlling risks from refrigerant gases and associated chemicals
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Requirements for ventilation, emergency planning and amenities where refrigerant work is carried out
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for hazard identification, risk assessment and implementation of controls in HVAC and refrigeration tasks
• Safe Work Australia – Confined Spaces Code of Practice: Applicable where refrigerant plant and pipework are located in pits, plant rooms or restricted spaces
• AS/NZS 5149 (Refrigerating systems and heat pumps – Safety and environmental requirements): Safety principles for design, installation and maintenance of refrigerating systems
• AS/NZS 1677 (Refrigerating systems): Requirements relevant to refrigerant systems, components and safe operation
• AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules): Electrical safety obligations when isolating and working on powered air conditioning and chiller equipment
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017