5 Tips for HVAC Safety

 

Are you into a trade related to HVAC or a field tech yourself? Remember, technician safety should be the core area of concern in your daily operations to prevent deadly and costly HVAC accidents. During AC repair in California, danger lies in some of the most gullible places, and industry experts must not just follow the best HVAC servicing procedures but remain alert for common hazards too. That’s why we’ve recognized only a few of the biggest HVAC safety hazards and recommended the best HVAC safety standards all in one place. 

During proper HVAC maintenance and service in California, for avoiding common HVAC accidents, the HVAC technicians must protect themselves from the following- 

 

1. Electrical Hazards 

2. Chemical Exposure 

3. Insufficient Inventory of Equipment 

4. Respiratory Issues 

5. Ladder Liability 

 

Let us analyze each of the HVAC safety hazards one by one.  

 

1. Electrical Hazards 

 

HVAC work necessitates managing electrical wiring. During the work, technicians should de-energize all equipment before conducting regular checkups, tests, repairs, and miscellaneous servicing strategies. 

Prevent electrical accidents with the following HVAC safety tips: 

• Switch off the power of the concerned circuit in the breaker panel.  

• Apply adequate lockout and tag methods to confirm that no individual attempts to switch on the power during the process of your work. 

• Before starting the work, check the circuit with a meter that is accurately rated for the kind of circuit you’re examining to ascertain whether it’s still energized. 

 

2. Chemical Exposure 

 

A leading cause of HVAC accidents the industry witnesses is subjection to dangerous chemicals. Technicians work with a wide range of chemicals that can lead to serious burns, like refrigerants, cleaning liquids, solvents, and gases. Despite a lot of refrigerants are categorized as safe by the manufacturers, the toxicity of the chemicals can increase if exposed to heat. It will ultimately pose a serious health hazard for technicians. Adequate HVAC safety training is important before working with these chemicals. Religiously adhere to the following HVAC servicing strategies to stay safe.  

 

• While managing this kind of hazard, stay alert and always cover up with authentic protective personal equipment (PPE), like safety glasses, protective footwear, and HVAC work gloves.  

The American Welding Society (AWS) recommends the following: 

 

• Attach cylinders upright with a chain or strap in a bona fide cylinder cart. 

• Check that valves are entirely closed and any protection devices are fastened. 

• Put cylinders in a ventilated location devoid of too much heat and electrical circuits. 

• Maintain a checklist of safety measures, like caps or guards, that are properly installed. 

• Apply a cart or hand truck. Never drag or roll cylinders. 

 

3. Inadequate Inventory of Equipment 

 

At the outset, equipment inventory might not come to mind while you think about HVAC accidents. However, it does make a huge difference. Before heading for your scheduled route, properly check that the tools in your van or truck are prepared for work. If you ensure that you haven’t compromised on the condition of your tools, you can reach the homeowner’s residence with confidence that you possess the properly functioning tools required to do the job. 

Moreover, ascertaining the kind of tools, you will be employing for the next job makes it convenient to hit the ground running upon arrival. It’s not only about being organized with your equipment inventory; it also disallows you to improvise if you’re in the midst of a job. The best strategy for safety is prevention and accurate HVAC servicing practices.  Drill with a routine of prevention and awareness before you leave for a job. 

 

4. Respiratory Issues 

 

The commonest health risks HVAC technicians are exposed to are respiratory issues. A lot of homes contain dirty air filters that are as good as Petri dishes for mold, bacteria, and fungus. A defective pilot light and heat exchangers leaking on the furnace can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. You must put on an industrial-grade face mask to refrain from inhaling these persisting dangers nearby and for long periods. Often, the job necessitates a higher-grade mask, like a cartridge-style mask or even a self-contained breathing mask, particularly if the job is within a contaminated and confined space. It is crucial to know more about the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) respiratory safety standards so that all are on the same page. 

 

5. Ladder Liability 

 

A CDC report states that, in the construction industry, above 80 percent of fall injuries that are being treated in emergency rooms involve ladders. No one wishes to spend more time outside than required on a humid summer afternoon. However, by adopting a few additional steps to properly protect your ladder, you can avoid one of the commonest instances of occupational fatalities and injuries. 

When performing any ladder work, follow the steps below- 

 

• Maintain three-point contact every time. Either both feet with at least one hand or both hands with at least one foot should be on the ladder at every point in time. 

• Position the base of the ladder a quarter of its working length from the place of work to get the safest angle 

• Ensure that the extension or straight ladder extends at least 3 feet above the point of support. 

• Check whether locks are engaged flawlessly on an extension ladder. 

 

Inference 

 

To learn more about electrical safety tips, visit the National Fire Protection Association’s National Electric Code and Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces. During any kind of HVAC repair in California, if you follow the above procedures, you are expected to stay safe.