Product Overview

Summary: This Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, step-by-step process for safely servicing air conditioning systems in Australian workplaces and commercial buildings. It focuses on electrical and refrigerant safety, environmental compliance, and consistent service quality so your team can maintain HVAC assets without exposing workers, occupants, or your business to unnecessary risk.

Air conditioning systems are critical to comfort, productivity and equipment performance in Australian workplaces, yet they combine multiple risk factors: electrical energy, rotating components, working at height, confined plant rooms, and hazardous refrigerants. This SOP provides a structured, repeatable method for servicing split systems, ducted units, rooftop package units and similar HVAC equipment in a way that prioritises safety, WHS compliance and asset reliability. It guides workers from pre-start planning and isolation through to system testing and documentation, making it clear what ‘good practice’ looks like on every job.

Developed for the Australian regulatory environment, this procedure helps organisations control key hazards such as electric shock, contact with moving parts, exposure to refrigerants, slips and trips around condensate, and working in hot, restricted plant areas. It also embeds environmental and quality considerations, including leak checking, correct handling of recovered refrigerant, and clear communication with building occupants. By implementing this SOP, businesses can standardise their servicing approach across sites, reduce downtime and call-backs, demonstrate due diligence under WHS laws, and extend the life of their HVAC assets while maintaining a safe and comfortable workplace.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, safe servicing of air conditioning systems across all sites and technicians.
• Reduce the risk of electric shock, refrigerant exposure and other common HVAC servicing incidents.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant refrigeration and electrical standards.
• Extend asset life and improve system performance through structured inspection, cleaning and testing steps.
• Streamline training and onboarding for new technicians with a clear, step-by-step servicing framework.

Who is this for?

• HVAC Technicians
• Air Conditioning Service Technicians
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Facilities Managers
• Building Services Managers
• WHS Managers
• Property Managers
• Operations Managers in Commercial and Industrial Sites

Hazards Addressed

• Electric shock from live electrical components and faulty isolation
• Exposure to refrigerants (frostbite, asphyxiation, chemical irritation)
• Contact with moving parts such as fans and belts
• Falls from height when accessing rooftop or ceiling-mounted units
• Musculoskeletal injuries from manual handling of components and equipment
• Slips, trips and falls due to condensate, tools, hoses and access hazards
• Heat stress when working in roof spaces, plant rooms or outdoor units in hot conditions
• Environmental harm from uncontrolled refrigerant leaks or improper recovery and disposal

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and System Types Covered
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Required Licences, Permits and Authorisations
• 5.0 Tools, Equipment and Materials
• 6.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 7.0 Pre-Servicing Planning and Risk Assessment
• 8.0 Site Access, Isolation and Lockout/Tagout Procedures
• 9.0 Safe Work Method for Servicing Indoor Units
• 10.0 Safe Work Method for Servicing Outdoor and Rooftop Units
• 11.0 Electrical Safety Checks and Testing
• 12.0 Refrigerant Handling, Leak Checking and Recovery
• 13.0 Cleaning of Coils, Filters, Drains and Surrounding Areas
• 14.0 Recommissioning, Functional Testing and Performance Verification
• 15.0 Environmental Controls and Waste Management
• 16.0 Documentation, Service Reports and Communication with Clients/Occupants
• 17.0 Emergency Procedures (Electric Shock, Refrigerant Leak, Falls, Heat Stress)
• 18.0 Training, Induction and Competency Assessment
• 19.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the Procedure

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS legislation
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and state/territory equivalents
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 5149: Refrigerating systems and heat pumps – Safety and environmental requirements
• AS/NZS 3000: Electrical installations (Wiring Rules)
• AS/NZS 3666: Air-handling and water systems of buildings – Microbial control
• Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 (Cth)
• Refrigerant Handling Code of Practice 2007 (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Board, Australia)