Air Conditioner Decommissioning SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning and carrying out air conditioner decommissioning, from site review and isolation through to removal, waste management and handover. It supports the identification and management of risks associated with electrical supplies, refrigerant, elevated access, lifting and the work area.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Review the work scope, site conditions and potential changes before starting.
• Set up and secure the work area to manage access, occupants, vehicles, trips and falling objects.
• Arrange and use elevated access for units located above ground level.
• Inspect recovery equipment, cylinders, tools and hoses before use.
• Isolate electrical supplies and manage unexpected energisation risks.
• Recover the refrigerant charge and manage cylinder handling and releases.
• Disconnect services and pipework while addressing residual pressure, sharp edges and spills.
• Remove indoor and outdoor units, including lifting, stability and dropped-object risks.
• Make openings, supports and exposed services safe after removal.
• Transport equipment, cylinders and waste, then clean up and hand over the area.

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out air conditioner decommissioning activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations, including duties to identify hazards, eliminate or minimise risks so far as reasonably practicable, provide safe systems of work, consult workers, maintain plant, manage hazardous chemicals, provide PPE, and prepare and comply with a SWMS where high-risk construction work applies.
• Applicable Commonwealth refrigerant and synthetic greenhouse gas controls, including requirements for authorised refrigerant handling, recovery, containment, labelling and lawful disposal of refrigerant.
• Model Code of Practice: Construction Work — guidance on SWMS preparation, consultation and stopping work that is not being carried out in accordance with the SWMS.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace — guidance covering plant decommissioning, dismantling, energy isolation, inspection, maintenance and records.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces — guidance for selecting and implementing fall-prevention controls.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace — guidance for electrical isolation, testing and safe electrical work.
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks — guidance for eliminating or reducing musculoskeletal risks.
• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace and How to Safely Remove Asbestos — inspect the asbestos register and stop work where asbestos-containing material may be disturbed; air-conditioner-related asbestos sheet removal is specifically addressed in the removal guidance.
• AS/NZS 5149 series Refrigerating systems and heat pumps; AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules; AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations—Construction and demolition sites; AS/NZS 1891 series Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices; AS 2550 series Cranes, hoists and winches—Safe use; AS 1418 series Cranes, hoists and winches; AS/NZS 1576 series Scaffolding; AS 1657 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders; AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective equipment.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections