Air Conditioning Refrigerant Handling and Re-Gassing SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers refrigerant handling and re-gassing work, from planning and isolation through recovery, repair, charging, commissioning and sign-off. It supports planning and risk management for refrigerant, pressure, electrical, chemical, access and plant-related hazards.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Review the work scope, refrigerant and system condition
• Set up the work area and access the unit safely
• Isolate electrical supply
• Inspect equipment, cylinders, hoses and connections
• Recover refrigerant and depressurise the system
• Open, assess and flush system components
• Repair the system and pressure test it
• Evacuate and dehydrate the system
• Charge refrigerant and re-gas the system
• Commission, leak check, clean up and sign off

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out air conditioning refrigerant handling and re-gassing 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.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace, as adopted or applied in the relevant jurisdiction; use the hierarchy of controls, secure cylinders upright, inspect hoses and fittings, provide ventilation, and manage oxygen-displacement risks.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities, as adopted or applied in the relevant jurisdiction; provide effective ventilation and maintain air-conditioning plant to manufacturer instructions.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces, as adopted or applied in the relevant jurisdiction; use safe access and fall-prevention measures for roof-mounted air-conditioning equipment.
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks, as adopted or applied in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace, as adopted or applied in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Model Code of Practice: Confined spaces, as adopted or applied in the relevant jurisdiction.
• AS/NZS 5149 series, Refrigerating systems and heat pumps — Safety and environmental requirements.
• AS/NZS 1677 series, Refrigerating systems.
• AS 4332, The storage and handling of gases in cylinders.
• AS/NZS 3788, Pressure equipment — In-service inspection.
• AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716, Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment.
• Manufacturer instructions, current SDS and refrigerant supplier technical data.

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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