Air Conditioning Refrigerant Handling and Re-Gassing Risk Assessment

Product Overview

This risk assessment covers air conditioning refrigerant handling and re-gassing activities, from pre-start review through to completion and emergency readiness. It supports planning by identifying potential hazards and controls for refrigerant, electrical, access, equipment and site-interaction risks.

Activities & Risks Covered

This assessment addresses activities and risks including:

• Review the work area, system condition, ventilation and nearby activities before starting
• Confirm worker competency, authorisation and appropriate supervision
• Isolate electrical equipment and manage stored energy before service work
• Plan safe access and positioning around plant, ceiling spaces, roofs and elevated areas
• Transport, store and move cylinders, recovery units and tools safely
• Connect gauges, hoses and recovery or charging equipment with attention to leaks and trip hazards
• Recover refrigerant, test for leaks and re-gas systems while managing release and pressure risks
• Manage work in confined or poorly ventilated spaces where refrigerant may accumulate
• Control manual-task, housekeeping and interaction risks around the work area
• Reinstate plant, check for residual hazards and prepare for incidents or defect reporting

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out air conditioning refrigerant handling and re-gassing activities.

Activities & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template records model guidance used to inform the documented controls. Applicable WHS/OHS laws and adopted Codes vary by state or territory, so confirm the current local requirements when tailoring the assessment:

• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks — 4.1 The hierarchy of control measures; p. 31.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities — 2. The work environment; p. 13.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace — 4.1 Guarding plant; p. 39.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace — 2.2 Safety Data Sheets (SDS); p. 16.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Confined spaces — 3.4 Assessing the risks; p. 24.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace — 2.1 Identifying the hazards; p. 14.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces — 3.2 Identifying the hazards; p. 16.

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Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)

• Activity-specific hazard identification and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each activity
• Risk matrix and assessment classification
• Review, monitoring and sign-off fields
• Site-specific customisation before use