Technician Safety Information
A/C SYSTEM PRECAUTIONS- Wear eye protection when servicing the air conditioning refrigerant system. Serious eye injury can result from eye contact with refrigerant. If eye contact is made, seek medical attention immediately.
- The air conditioning system contains refrigerant under high pressure. Severe personal injury may result from improper service procedures. Repairs should only be performed by qualified service personnel.
- Avoid breathing the refrigerant and refrigerant oil vapor or mist. Exposure may irritate the eyes, nose, and/or throat. Wear eye protection when servicing the air conditioning refrigerant system. Serious eye injury can result from direct contact with the refrigerant if eye contact occurs, seek medical attention immediately.
- Do not expose the refrigerant to open flame. Poisonous gas is created when refrigerant is burned. An electronic leak detector is recommended.
- If accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate the work area before resuming service. Large amounts of refrigerant released in a closed work area will displace the oxygen and cause suffocation.
- The evaporation rate of R-134a refrigerant at average temperature and altitude is extremely high. As a result, anything that comes in contact with the refrigerant will freeze. Always protect the skin or delicate objects from direct contact with the refrigerant.
- The R-134a service equipment or the vehicle refrigerant system should not be pressure tested or leak tested with compressed air. Some mixtures of air and R-134a have been shown to be combustible at elevated pressures. These mixtures are potentially dangerous, and may result in fire or explosion causing injury or property damage.
- The refrigerant must be recovered completely from the system before opening any fitting or connection. Open the fittings with caution, even after the refrigerant has been recovered. If any pressure is noticed as a fitting is loosened, tighten the fitting and recover the refrigerant from the system again.
COOLANT PRECAUTIONS
- The engine cooling system is designed to develop internal pressures of 97 to 124 kPa (14 to 18 psi) Allow the vehicle 15 minutes to cool down, or wait until a safe temperature and pressure are attained, before opening the cooling system.
- Antifreeze is an ethylene glycol based coolant and is harmful if swallowed or inhaled. If swallowed, drink two glasses of water and induce vomiting. If inhaled, move to a fresh air area. Seek medical attention immediately.
- Wash the skin and clothing thoroughly after coming in contact with ethylene glycol.
- Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
- Do not open a cooling system when the engine is at operating temperature. Personal injury may result
- Do not store engine coolant in open or unmarked containers.
- Hot engine coolant can cause severe burns. Do not open the radiator drain cock when the cooling system is hot and pressurized. Allow the coolant to reach to room temperature before starting repair operations.