Safety Precautions For Handling of Refrigerant

Safety Precautions For Handling Of Refrigerant

If it is necessary to open the refrigerant circuit during service work, discharge the refrigerant circuit first. Avoid contact with liquid refrigerant or refrigerant gases. If refrigerant should escape although all safety caution were observed, do not inhale refrigerant/air mixture.

Always wear hand and eye protection (gloves and goggles) when working around the A/C refrigerant system and switch on existing exhaust/ventilation systems.

Reason:
Intensive exposure to refrigerant on unprotected parts of the body will result in frostbite.

CAUTION:
- Keep an eye-bath close at hand.
- Should liquid refrigerant come into contact with the eyes, rinse eyes thoroughly with water for approx. 15 minutes.
- Then apply eye drops and consult a doctor immediately even if No pain is felt.
- Always inform doctor of the type of refrigerant involved.
- Equipment must be approved.
- Always use an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approved refrigerant recovery/recycling/recharging unit such as Kent-Moore ACR4, or equivalent, whenever discharging an R-134a A/C system.
- Technicians must be trained.
- As of January 1, 1992 any person who services a motor vehicle air conditioner MUST, by law, be properly trained and certified and use approved refrigerant recycling equipment. Technicians must complete an EPA approved recycling course to be certified.
- State and Provincial governments may have additional requirements regarding air conditioning servicing. Always comply with state and local laws.
- Use Refrigerant with care
- The A/C system is filled with refrigerant which is under pressure.
- The refrigerant must not come in contact with your skin.
- It is recommended to have an eye-flushing bottle available.
- If liquid refrigerant has come in contact with your skin and eyes, immediately flush with cool water for 15 minutes.
- Afterward apply eye drops and consult a doctor immediately, even when the eyes are not hurting.
- The doctor must be informed, which type of refrigerant caused the freezing.

Should refrigerant come into contact with other parts of the body despite compliance with all the pertinent safety measures, these are similarly to be rinsed thoroughly with cold water without delay for at least 15 minutes.

Although refrigerants do not represent a fire hazard, smoking, welding, soldering and brazing are not permitted in areas exposed to refrigerant.

Reason:
The high temperature of a naked flame or hot objects causes decomposition of refrigerant gas. Inhalation of the resultant toxic decomposition products leads to dry coughing and nausea.